The Terminally Ill Patient – Halachic Questions

Eighth Session – Terminally Ill – Halachic Questions

Question posed by:       Representative from the Audience

Response by:                Rav Zalman Nehemia Goldberg,

                                    Head of Jerusalem District Beit Din

 

1.    Under which circumstances is it permissible to refrain from commencing medical treatment for a terminal patient? E.g. resuscitation, artificial respiration, dialysis, radiation, chemotherapy, intravenous nutrition or gastrostomy, intravenous liquids.

 

2.    Are there situations where it is permitted to terminate treatment of a terminally ill patient?

       Is it permissible to disconnect the patient from the respirator in light of severe suffering on his part?

 

3.    What is the status of the family with regard to deciding whether to continue or terminate medical treatment?