The Cholera Pandemic of 1831
By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California — Once again, we are hearing more discussion about social distancing. Here is a chapter from my new book, God and the Pandemic, A Judaic Reflection on the Coronavirus.
The concept of social-distancing at a time of pandemics is discussed in the Responsa literature. The term “responsa” refers to questions people have asked rabbis for almost 1500 years in matters of Judaic law, traditions, and values.
There were six cholera outbreaks in the 19th century. The first cholera outbreak spread widely beyond India began in 1817, and spread by both ship and overland route to Syria and the Crimean region. Within a short span of ten years, it became rampant in both Persia and southeastern Russia. By 1831, the second cholera pandemic spread throughout Western Europe. It affected Europe from 1829-1837.
How did the rabbis of that era respond?
In this chapter, we will look at one of the great rabbis of the 19th century—R Akiba Eiger (1761-1837) Each of these scholars took practical measures to ensure there would be social-distancing during the Great Cholera Pandemic of the 19th century. R. Akiba Eiger was a distinguished rabbinical scholar who lived during the second great cholera pandemic that affected Europe from 1829-1837. R. Eiger’s responsa contains much valuable material that is found on the social, economic, and religious situation of the Jews of his region. This information provides the historian with the tools to study the living conditions of a period.
During this time, R. Eiger kept close contact with the local authorities. Entire sections of the Jewish quarter were quarantined and forbidden to enter. But he took it upon himself to personally ensure that the poorer members of the Jewish community received the necessary supplies of food and medical care. Rabbi Akiba Eiger disregarded the danger and went into the stricken sections of the city to care for the sick.
He also established social-distance guidelines for the synagogues that would prevent larger numbers of worshipers from perishing. He limited the number of people who could participate at a religious service. Together with his lieutenants, he managed to reduce the number of people infected by the disease.
When King Frederick III of Prussia heard about his heroism, he honored the rabbi with a special commendation. He recalls:
His Honor’s letter has reached me, regarding prayer in the synagogue during the pandemic. It is my view that gathering in a small space is inappropriate. However, praying in smaller groups consisting of fifteen people is apropos. The same process ought to be done with the Afternoon Service. Each group consisting no more than fifteen people. This manner can be applied to other groups of fifteen, who will have a designated time when to appear and pray. This method also applies to the Afternoon Service. After the prayer quorum, let each group recite the appropriate Psalms of healing, as selected by the King. In addition, the prayers concerning the incense should also be recited.
And they should be careful that more people than the quota of fifteen people should not push their way into the synagogue, perhaps by using a guard from the police to oversee this. Once they have reached the maximum [prescribed] number, nobody else must be allowed to enter the synagogue until the first group has finished. Set this request before the magistrate, and let the magistrate know that I have written this instruction for you.
In the event of noncompliance, then the local authorities must be immediately notified. You will certainly succeed if you mention my name, and that I have instructed you not to have large gatherings in the synagogue, which is a small space. I have advised you of these arrangements. Continue reciting the Psalms and pray for the King as well. May God protect him! Collect from each person a tax of six large coins—from the youngest to the oldest. You must use this money to help save the lives of those suffering from the disease. In the event the King sends me more money, this too will be distributed to help the needy.
In terms of practical matters, dressing warm is essential; preferably, each person ought to wear flannel, and wear a belt around the waists. Avoid eating bad foods, especially pickles, and to reduce consumption of fruit and fish, and imbibe less alcohol. Don’t overeat! Actually, it would be better for you to eat smaller portions to avoid overeating a lot of food.
§ Keep your living quarters clean at all times.
§ Wear clean clothing each week.
§ Try not to worry and avoid getting depressed.
§ Do not take nightly strolls.
§ Take your strolls outside during the sunlight hours. Or, alternatively, take a walk in the open-fields.
§ Make sure there is adequate sunshine in your rooms.
§ Avoid going outside on an empty-stomach.
§ Eat some mustard seeds and oak bark.
§ Making washing your face and hands a part of your daily routine.
§ Wash the floors with a pungent vinegar, and if you can, mix it with some rose water.
§ Be clean. Don’t leave any filth or dirt in the home. This includes changing into clean clothing regularly each week. Do not worry. Distance yourself from any kind of sadness. Don’t walk about the city at night. During the middle of the day, when the sun is shining, it is good to stroll in the fields for air, and to open the windows in the morning so that air will enter the rooms of your home.[i]
One of R. Eiger’s most significant rulings that would change how Ashkenazi recite the Kaddish in synagogues. Prior to the cholera pandemic, the recitation of the Kaddish was said by the person who was a mourner, and it was not chanted by everyone else as we do today. However, the pandemic produced so many mourners, he established that each person could recite the Kaddish simultaneously. Throughout the duration of the cholera pandemic, R. Akiba Eiger proved to be a courageous shepherd to his people.
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NOTES
[i] See Igrot Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Makhon Da’at Sofer, 5754), letters 71-73.
and Natan Gestetner, Pesakim ve-Takanot Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Jerusalem, 5731), letter 20, 70ff.
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Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California He may be contacted via michael.samuel@sdjewishworld.com