David Fink, Ph.D.
ASSIA Nos. 87-88
appeared in Hebrew in Sivan 5770 (June, 2010). The following articles are of special interest to
readers of Jewish Medical Ethics.
Vaccination in Israel: Epidemiology and Halacha
by Dr. Chaya Greenberger
Vaccination
saves lives; parents are obligated to vaccinate their children even when there
is only a small threat of infection; Rabbis should be role models in
vaccinating the public; parents should be informed of side-effects; in the
absence of immediate threat, no one should be compelled to accept a vaccine.
Disclosing Medical Problems in Matchmaking
by Rabbi Avraham Dori
Detailed analysis and survey of rabbinic sources
regarding the obligation to disclose serious, pre-existing medical conditions
in matchmaking; disclosing that a parent of a prospective spouse has gentile
roots; disclosing that a woman is not a virgin.
Medical Micropigmentation
by Dr. Uriel Lewinger
Some
authorities permit micropigmentation (medical tattooing) which includes no
letters
and is impermanent; others see in this a rabbinic prohibition that can be
lifted in therapeutic situations.
Permanent
micropigmentation, on the other hand, is prohibited even for reconstructive
cosmetic purposes according to Rambam and the Shulchan Aruch.
There is room for leniency if a non-Jew tattoos a patient under general
anesthesia.
Superficial,
impermanent marks indicating which limb of a patient requires surgery are
permitted.
Medical Micropigmentation
by Rabbis Eliezer Roth and Natan Gestetner
Correspondence with the author of the previous article.
Permanent Makeup
by Rabbis Gavriel Toledano and Mordechai Halperin
Responsa
detailing a possible leniency for permanent makeup in cases of emotional
distress.
Permanent Makeup
by Prof. Avraham Sofer Avraham
Excerpt
from the author's Nishmat Avraham
outlining the opinions of the great authorities regarding permanent makeup
(tattooing).
The Torah Approach to Physician-Patient Relations
by Rabbi Yitschak Menachem
Weinberg Shlita
Torah
sources explain the inner, therapeutic power of the physician-patient
relationship.
The Israeli Law of Respiratory-Brain Death (2008)
Full text
of the Israeli Brain-death legislation (2008).
Rav Elyashiv's Opinion regarding
Brain Death
by Prof. Avraham Steinberg
As long as the heart is still beating, it is prohibited
to switch off a ventilating machine in cases of brain death.
Rav Ovadya Yosef's Opinion
regarding Brain Death
by Prof. Avraham Steinberg
Brain death is halachic death.
Rabbi Shlomo Amar's Opinion regarding Brain Death
Facsimile
of R. Amar's letter agreeing with R. Yosef in permitting the transplantation of
organs from a brain-dead donor as long as the family's consent is obtained and
the Beit Din agreed to the organ donation.
Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Opinion
regarding Brain Death
by Prof. Avraham Steinberg and Rabbi Moshe Peleg
Complete cessation of respiration constitutes halachic
death. Therefore brain death is a valid criterion of halachic death as
long as the physicians attesting to brain death are reliable.
Responsa regarding the Decision of the Chief Rabbinate on
Heart Transplantation
Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Halperin
Further explanations regarding the reasoning and
ramifications of the Chief Rabbinate in permitting heart transplantation from
brain-dead donors.
The Decision of the Chief Rabbinate Council of 4 Tishrei 5770
Full text
of Protocol 7, section 4, regarding brain death and organ transplantation and
the Rabbinate's approval of "the Israeli Law of Respiratory-Brain Death
(2008)" with the condition that the wishes of those families objecting to
transplantation be respected.
The Status of the Issue of a non-Jewish Surrogate Mother
by Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar and Prof. Richard H. Grazi
Fascismile of Rabbi Amar's letter to Prof.
Grazi determining that the status of the issue depends on the status of the
ovum donor. If the ovum donor is Jewish, then so is the offspring. Further, if
the child's father is a kohen, the child is likewise a kohen.
Artificial Insemination for Unmarried Women
by Rabbi Yoezer Ariel
Detailed
analysis of the halachic, spiritual, and psychological issues
surrounding the offspring of unmarried women undergoing artificial insemination.
Birth Control Pills and Venous Thromboembolism
by Dr. Meir Frankel
Medical
and halachic consequences taking contraceptive pills. Survey of medical
sources implying that there might be halachic reason to refrain from
taking these pills due to the medical dangers associated with them.
Contraceptive Hormone Pills and Nidda
by Rabbi Eliezer ben Porat and Prof. Pesach Kleiman
Careful
analysis of the following questions: (1) What is the status of blood found on a
colored cloth when the bleeding is due to hormone pills? (2) How can a woman
taking hormone pills prevent bleeding? (3) What is the status of the onset of
menstruation when such is determined by the cycle of hormone pills (veset ha-gelula)?
Vaginismus
by Dr. Chana Catane and Rabbi
Yoel Catane
Women suffering from vaginismus have difficulty in
executing bedikot for family purity. Such
women should seek medical treatment prior to marriage.
Hefsek Tohara, Bedikot and Vaginismus
by Rabbi Nachum L. Rabinovitch
Irrigating
the vagina with warm water and wiping the area can fulfill the requirements of hefsek tohara and bedika for woman suffering from vaginismus.
Hefsek Tohara, Bedikot and Vaginismus
by Rabbi Asher Weis
In cases
of mild vaginismus which is expected to resolve soon, normal bedikot are required. But in cases of severe or
long-term vaginismus minimal examination with a cloth is sufficient.
Hefsek Tohara, Bedikot and Vaginismus
by Rabbi Yaakov Ariel
Response to the above article by R. Catane.
A painless examination by a trained bodeket is
preferable. But if such is impractical, the woman should check herself as well
as she can.
Proper Vaginismus: Medical Background and Halachic
Problems
by Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Halperin
Survey of medical literature dealing with vaginismus,
covering its incidence, etiology, and treatment. Rabbi Neuwirth said that
minimal examination is sufficient as with virgins. But Chazon
Ish was stricter, requiring repeated examinations.
Alternatively, R. Ovadya Yosef
suggests delaying the examination for a few days to guarantee the cessation of
bleeding.
Vaginismus: Approval of Treatment
by Rabbis Sh.Z. Auerbach and
Yissachar Meier
Facsimiles of letter of Rabbis Sh.Z.
Auerbach and Yissachar Meier approving of medical therapy for vaginismus.
Bibliography of Medical-Halachic Literature
by Rabbi M. Wunder
Annotated bibliography of 403 Hebrew books, articles, and
responsa which appeared in 5766 (2005-2006), arranged by topics and indexed by
the author.
ASSIA Nos. 89-90
appeared in Hebrew in Av 5771 (August, 2011). The following articles are of special interest to
readers of Jewish Medical Ethics.
Injuring a Fetus to Save its Mother's Life
by Rabbi Mordechai Halperin
Six
reasons adduced from rabbinic literature to be lenient and permit treating a
life-threatening malignancy in a pregnant woman even though the treatment might
kill her fetus.
Compensation for Medical Malpractice
Rabbi Gavriel Toledano
The physician
has the status of a shomer sachar (paid watchman). If he is negligent, he is
obligated to compensate the patient. In addition, Rashba
holds that the physician's acceptance of liability obligates him. According to Ramban, the obligation to compensate the patient derives
from minhag (common practice).
Breach of a Contract to Donate Bone Marrow
by Dr. Avraham Weinroth, Esq.
An original analysis of Israeli juristic sources and
Rabbinic texts, leading to the conclusion that the state should enforce a contract
to donate bone marrow.
Use of Creams on Shabbat
by Rabbi Shlomo Glicksberg
Memachek (smoothing a surface) is
prohibited on Shabbat. Memareach (spreading
one substance over another) is a derivative (toledah)
which is only prohibited when preparing an object for use, e.g., sealing a hole
in a barrel.
There are
three levels of viscosity in substances which can be spread: (1) wax, which the
Torah prohibits spreading over another surface; (2) ointment, which is in
general prohibited lest one come to use wax; and (3) clear oil, which in
principle is permitted.
The NuvaRing and Family Purity
by Rabbi Eliezer ben Porat and Prof. Pesach Kleiman
In
general, a NovaRing should be removed prior to every bedika. If certain difficulties arise, it is
sufficient to remove the NovaRing prior to hefsek tohara and
the bedikot on the first and seventh day. Be’di’avad there is room for leniency even if the NovaRing was in place for all the bedikot
and the tevila.
Bleeding while Using a NovaRing
by Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Halperin
A responsum from the International Responsa Project of
the Schlesinger Institute requiring the removal of a NovaRing
prior to hefsek tohara
and tevila. It is proper to remove it before
each bedika during the seven days as well.
Bleeding during the use of a NovaRing
has the same status as any other bleeding.
Staining in a Woman Using Contraceptive Tablets
by Rabbi Yaakov Sasson
Bleeding
while taking contraceptive tablets has the same status as any other bleeding.
The Blessing "Dayyan ha-Emet" on a Stillbirth
by Rabbi Avraham Stav
Survey of
the differing opinions of contemporary authorities regarding the blessing
"Dayyan ha-Emet" on a stillbirth.
Post-partum Depression: Symptoms and Halachic Aspects
by Rabbi Baruch Finkelstein and Ms. Michal Finkelstein
Survey of the scientific literature regarding post-partum
depression and Rabbinic sources regarding the importance of simcha;
contraception to prevent such depression; guidelines in identifying post-partum
depression.
Leniencies for the Ill and for Prisoners
by Rabbi Asher Shakani
Does the blessing "she’gemalani
kol tuv" depend on
actual salvation? When may non-Jews be asked to act for us on Shabbat?
Non-Jewish cooks for prisoners.
Therapy: Double Life or Extended Life?
by Rabbi Yitschak Hutner
A letter
by the Rosh Yeshiva of Chaim Berlin about the spiritual value of a life devoted
to therapy.
"Removing an Impediment" – Treating the Moribund
Patient
by Dr. Yisrael Katz
Survey of the primary sources and the views of
contemporary authorities regarding the question of passive euthanasia for a
moribund patient (gosses).
Pre-term Birth Following Marital Intimacy
by Prof. Michael Shimmel and Drs. Geona Altarescu and Sorina Grisaru
Statistical
study showing that marital intimacy precipitates pre-term labor in some women,
leading to the question of using a condom to avoid contact of the husband's
prostaglandin D with the womb.
Bibliography of Medical-Halachic Literature
by Rabbi M. Wunder
Annotated bibliography of 398 Hebrew books, articles, and
responsa which appeared in 5767 (2006-2007), arranged by topics and indexed by
the author.
Eidelman, Arthur I, MD, FAAP, FABM – Department of Pediatrics, Shaare
Zedek Medical Center; Hebrew University School of
Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel; Ben-Gurion
University of the Negev, Beer arthur.eidelman@gmail.com Eisenberg, Daniel, MD – Department of Radiology at the Albert Einstein
Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA; Assistant Professor of Diagnostic
Imaging at Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine. eisenber@pol.net Englard-Schaffer, Naomi – Graduate of the first class of Nishmat's Yoatzot Halacha program; Staff of Nishmat's
Women's Halachic Hotline; Yoetzet
halacha of the greater Modi'in
area; Currently writing her Ph.D. dissertation in the Talmud department at
Bar-Ilan University. Fink, David, PhD – Member of the board of the Schlesinger Institute;
Co-editor of Jewish Medical Ethics; Teaches at Ohr
Torah Institutions. d.fink@bigfoot.com Glick, Shimon, MD – Editor-in-Chief of Jewish Medical Ethics;
Professor Emeritus of medicine at Ben-Gurion University Faculty of Health
Sciences; Ombudsman for Israel's Ministry of Health. gshimon@bgu.ac.il Halperin, Mordechai, MD – Currently the Chief Officer of Medical Ethics
at the Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel; Editor-in-chief of ASSIA –
the Hebrew journal of medical ethics and Jewish law; Co-editor of Jewish
Medical Ethics. halperin@medethics.org.il Jotkowitz, Alan B., MD – Senior lecturer at “The Jakobovits
Center for Jewish Medical Ethics” and the department of medicine, Faculty
of medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva,
Isreal. ajotkowitz@hotmail.com Zimmerman, Deena R., MD,
MPH, IBCLC – Pediatrician;
Lactation Consultant; Yoetzet Halacha
(women’s halachic advisor); The director of Nishmat Women's Health and
Halacha Websites. yoatzothalacha@nishmat.net
The Authors
Sheva, Israel; Member of the board of the
Schlesinger Institute; Co-editor of Jewish Medical Ethics.