Notable Sources
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Permission to HealTALMUD
Permission to Heal
TALMUD
The rabbis assert that a physician’s healing is not an intervention against the will of God. The Gemara in Bava Kamma discusses the obligation to pay medical costs and interprets Exodus 21:19 to grant permission for a doctor to heal.
Moral Guidance in Medical EthicsHALAKHAH
Moral Guidance in Medical Ethics
HALAKHAH
Rav Moshe Feinstein's guidance was crucial in making a life-and-death medical decision, showcasing the intersection of religious authority and medical ethics. Rabbi Chaim Jachter's work, Gray Matter, delves into contemporary halakhic questions, including the ethical complexities of separating conjoined twins.
Skepticism Towards MedicineCHASIDUT
Skepticism Towards Medicine
CHASIDUT
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov expressed skepticism about the medical profession, emphasizing the limitations and complexities of medicine. In his collection of teachings, Sichot HaRan, Rebbe Nachman advises caution towards medical treatments and reliance on divine providence.
The Ethics of Truth in MedicineSECOND TEMPLE
The Ethics of Truth in Medicine
SECOND TEMPLE
Philo of Alexandria explores the ethical dilemma of whether physicians should always tell their patients the truth, especially if withholding it might aid in their recovery. Philo, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, blends Jewish theology with Greek philosophy to address complex ethical issues.
The Physician and the RabbiMIDRASH
The Physician and the Rabbi
MIDRASH
The personal and mystical connection between the physician Samuel of Yarchina and Rabbi offers a unique perspective on the roles of medicine and prophecy in Jewish tradition. The early 20th-century compilation, Ein Yaakov, presents a blend of stories, parables, and biblical interpretations from the Talmud, highlighting key figures and their contributions to Jewish law and tradition.
Ensuring Professional Medical CareHALAKHAH
Ensuring Professional Medical Care
HALAKHAH
The person who caused the injury must ensure professional medical care for the injured, rather than attempting to heal them personally or providing free treatment. In his monumental 12th-century legal code, the Mishneh Torah, Rambam emphasizes the importance of professional medical care and the responsibility of the injurer to ensure proper treatment.
Ethics of Medical PracticeHALAKHAH
Ethics of Medical Practice
HALAKHAH
The ethical obligation of physicians to prioritize care over profit is a timeless principle. In the 16th-century Shulchan Arukh, Rabbi Joseph Karo explains that while physicians may not charge for their wisdom, they can be compensated for their time and effort.
The Multifaceted Genius of MaimonidesCOMMENTARY
The Multifaceted Genius of Maimonides
COMMENTARY
Maimonides was not only a physician but also a philosopher and a supreme authority on Jewish law, integrating these fields in a unique and profound way. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his essays, explores the multifaceted expertise of Maimonides, highlighting his contributions to philosophy, natural science, and Jewish law.
The Divine Accountability of PhysiciansHALAKHAH
The Divine Accountability of Physicians
HALAKHAH
Even if a physician is not liable for payment according to human laws, he is still accountable according to divine laws if he causes harm or death through error. Rabbi J. David Bleich explores Ramban's analogy between physicians and judges, highlighting the ethical and legal responsibilities of professionals in Jewish law.
Balancing Shabbat and Saving LivesHALAKHAH
Balancing Shabbat and Saving Lives
HALAKHAH
Jewish law generally prohibits benefiting from work done by a non-Jew on Shabbat, but saving a life takes precedence. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s contemporary halakhic work, Peninei Halakhah, addresses the permissibility of using a non-Jewish driver to transport Jewish medical professionals to the hospital on Shabbat.
Ethical Fees in Jewish LawHALAKHAH
Ethical Fees in Jewish Law
HALAKHAH
The legitimacy of a physician charging fees for both therapeutic and non-therapeutic services, including those necessary for fulfilling mitzvot, is a nuanced and ethically significant issue in Jewish law. Rabbi J. David Bleich, a contemporary halakhic authority, explores the rulings of Maharam Schick and other rabbinic sources to address these ethical considerations.
Where is the Balm in Gilead?TANAKH
Where is the Balm in Gilead?
TANAKH
The emotional and communal anguish over the lack of healing and the absence of a physician to provide relief is a poignant reflection of societal despair. The prophet Jeremiah laments the absence of a remedy or healer for the suffering of the people, symbolized by the lack of balm in Gilead.
Moral PhysiciansJEWISH THOUGHT
Moral Physicians
JEWISH THOUGHT
Just as a physician heals the body, sages are seen as moral physicians who guide individuals in healing their souls. In his philosophical and ethical treatise, the Eight Chapters, Rambam explores the nature of the soul and the importance of moral and spiritual health.
The Divine Role in HealingCOMMENTARY
The Divine Role in Healing
COMMENTARY
The ability of a physician to heal is not merely a professional skill but is fundamentally rooted in the permission and decree of the Creator. In the Fourth Treatise on Trust from Pat Lechem, Chaim Avraham Katz explores the theological perspective that both healing and harm are ultimately determined by divine judgment.
Healing with Human TissuesRESPONSA
Healing with Human Tissues
RESPONSA
Jewish law permits the use of human tissues for medical purposes, reflecting the principle of pikuach nefesh, which prioritizes saving a life. This mid-20th-century responsa addresses the permissibility of using bone, skin, and cornea for healing under modern medical conditions.
The Sanctity of Life in Jewish Medical EthicsHALAKHAH
The Sanctity of Life in Jewish Medical Ethics
HALAKHAH
Jewish medical ethics uphold the absolute sanctity and infinite value of human life, mandating physicians to heal and prohibiting euthanasia. Rabbi Moshe Tendler, in his work on Jewish medical ethics, discusses the obligation to preserve life and the prohibition of euthanasia, referencing the Talmud, Midrash, and rulings by Rav Moses Isserles (Rema).
The Ethical PhysicianMUSAR
The Ethical Physician
MUSAR
Physicians hold a unique position of power and influence, and their ethical and moral responsibilities are paramount. The medieval ethical treatise Sefer HaYashar emphasizes the importance of altruism, particularly for physicians, who are urged to provide care without accepting payment from the poor and to offer hope and encouragement to their patients.
The Role of Expert PhysiciansCOMMENTARY
The Role of Expert Physicians
COMMENTARY
The expertise of physicians is crucial, especially when making health decisions on Yom Kippur. Ovadiah Bartenura, in his 15th-century commentary on the Mishnah, emphasizes the need for specialized physicians to make informed decisions regarding health on Yom Kippur.