Shas ministers Interior Minister Aryeh Deri and Religions Minister Rabbi Yaakov Avitan abstained from voting on the lockdown at today's cabinet meeting.
The decision was made after Minister Deri spoke at length with Council of Torah Sages President Rabbi Shalom Cohen, who ordered they abstain.
Minister Deri presented the Council President with the outline of the lockdown. On the one hand, they said, morbidity is rising and there is dander to life, while on the other hand, the complete closure of synagogues, kollels, and Talmudei Torah would cause great neglect of Torah learning.
Rabbi Cohen decided that the lockdown is necessary, but due to its affecting Torah learning, voting should be avoided.