The Masorti movement has said members can livestream their Seder next week — provided the camera is switched on before Yomtov begins.

In guidance for the festival, Masorti highlighted “the mitigation of loneliness at a time when being with those we love and cherish is of the greatest significance”.

Appreciating the “exceptional circumstances” of the current crisis, it said the decision should not be taken as a precedent.

A group of Sephardi rabbis in Israel ruled last week that the Seder could similarly be streamed — although other Orthodox rabbis criticised them.

Masorti told members “the use of Zoom and other such means may be permitted if this is the only way to enable the inclusion of those who would otherwise be alone and isolated”.

Electronic equipment should be set up before Yomtov and left on until “it switches itself off”.

An alternative was to recite most of the Seder before nightfall when it could be streamed, leaving kiddush, the drinking of the four cups and the eating of matzah and the Pesach foods until after dark.

The movement has also permitted leniencies this year including the eating of kitniot — pulses such as beans — which are usually avoided by Ashkenazim.

In separate guidance, Masorti has additionally permitted members to recite Kaddish when participating in online services.

The movement acknowledges that a minyan does not count online.

However, European Beit Din head Rabbi Chaim Weiner said that “given the emotional importance of reciting Kaddish for many people and the fact that it is a custom rather than a legal obligation, there are many rabbinic precedents for being lenient on the halachic requirements for reciting Kaddish.

“Therefore Kaddish can [and should] be recited in a virtual minyan.”

But prayers such as the Kedushah could only be recited among a physical gathering.