How Many Mitzvoth Can We Perform in One Moment of Entering the Residential Protected Room (MAMAD)?

Should we wake small children when an alert is received in the middle of the night? Does the Halacha tell us to follow the Home Front Command guidelines? Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein Shalita (שליט"א) answers these questions and more.

How Many Mitzvoth Can We Perform in One Moment of Entering the Residential Protected Room (MAMAD)?

Should we wake small children when an alert is received in the middle of the night? Does the Halacha tell us to follow the Home Front Command guidelines? Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein Shalita (שליט"א) answers these questions and more.

During Operation Guardian of the Walls, when missiles were launched at the population all over Israel, we sought the advice of the Posek, the great Gaon, member of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein Shalita (שליט"א).

The Rabbi discussed the line drawn between the faith we put in G-D and the duty to do  Hishtadlut and obey the Home Front Command Guidelines:

"In these days, in which G-D calls us to do Tshuva and to strengthen our faith by learning more Torah the alerts are an example of the thunder that was brought to straighten the twisting of the heart.At the same time, G-D is awakening us to do Tshuva. G-D also commanded us in the Torah "Venishmartem meod lenafshotechem" and from the use of "meod" in the Torah, we learn that even when there is the smallest question of Pikuach Nefesh, we must act. This is why the Chazon Ish wrote, when an alert is received, it should be considered as Pikuach Nefesh (especially nowadays, when Eretz Israel is divided into more than 1,700 alert zones and the alerts are more focused)."

The Rabbi further writes

"When an alert is received, we must obey the authorities' guidelines and enter the protected space, as these are the guidelines of G-D, not to rely on miracles. This is why G-D commanded us to make Hishdalut on saving our lives and the authorities' safety guidelines are the Hishtadlut we must make. However, entering the protected space should not be done in panic and fear, as this shows a complete lack of faith that G-D will protect us and we just do what we must. For this reason, on the way to the protected room, say Tehillim and think about Thshuva, and by doing that, you will perform four Mitzvoth Deoraita: A. Hishtadlut B. Faith in G-D, C. Prayer in times of trouble, D. Tshuva in times of trouble."

At the end of his letter, Rabbi Zilberstein writes about alerts in the middle of the night and small children:

"When an alert is received at night, if there is concern that the children may panic (which is also on the verge of Pikuach Nefesh), you must put them to sleep in protected spaces, which means either the residential protected room (MAMAD) or an internal room in the home, according to the guidelines."