Q. Our elderly and ill grand mother is hospitalized and alone, since the family is not allowed to visit her. She is very distressed since this is the first year she will not be in the seder with her children and grandchildren. Can we zoom a seder for her at least on Yom Tov Sheni? That would be of great help, even in the first days, since she knows she will be able to share with her dear family on the second seder.
A. See question 2325 regarding the use of a voice baby monitor or room intercom, if it was left on before Shabbos began, and question 3014 on a husband with a chronically ill wife mostly restricted to bed, using a monitor similar to what Hatzala uses, that he will leave on before Shabbat begins and like them carry it to shul. "Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in need, it is best to leave the monitor turned on before Shabbos, on the table in shul where he seats. It should be kept on at a very low tone, that only the husband can hear, when without touching it directly, he leans and comes close to it. He can then communicate with his wife, without others listening so there is no real Hashmoas Kol."
On question 826 regarding a Bris Mila done on Shabbos, when the security camera on the entrance to the hall was left on, if the family now want to use the recording to keep a memento of the occasion, we wrote: "A similar question is found in Chasukei Chemed (Shabbos 149a) where a permitted security recording was done in the hospital where the oifruff for a hospitalized chosson took place. Horav Zilberstein Shlit”a ruled not to allow the use the recording for a personal or a family souvenir of the event. If from the onset, one has the intention of leaving the video equipment on for both uses, recording on Shabbos would be prohibited.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar, the reason being that it constitutes an act of zilzul or disregard for the holiness of Shabbos and opens a gate of opportunity for others to arrange the filming of events and simchos on Shabbos."
Similarly, regarding zooming on Shabbos, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it should totally be avoided, as it opens the door to all kinds of open Chilul Shabbos.
However, regarding our question, the Rov maintains that in case of great need and suffering, one can be lenient on Yom Tov Sheni and the Second Seder, when a timer is used to turn on the zooming equipment and a Gentile caregiver takes care of the monitor at the grandmothers end.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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