Torah and Jewish Idea > Torah and Jewish Idea
Edited Title: Chaim and I agree on this ... as per this weeks Ask JTF.
Dexter:
Because it's not allowed to suicide acorrding to Judaism.
TorahZionist:
http://www.medethics.org.il/articles/JME/JMEM10/JMEM.10.5.asp
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Quality and Sanctity of Life
Rabbi Feinstein explicitly endorses the concept of the sanctity of life by stating “it is, or should be, absolutely clear, without any doubt, to anyone who has studied our holy Torah and who fears God, that one must heal or save every individual without any differentiation based upon his intelligence or physical stamina,”[12] but in other contexts he relates to the concept of quality of life. In answer to a question of whether there are patients who should not be treated? He responds “this question obviously refers to a terminally ill patient who can live for only several weeks or months at most. Such patients often should not be treated. The key concern is their quality of life.”[13] Given the value of life in Rabbi Feinstein’s thinking, we must understand why in this situation quality of life, particularly the burden of pain, becomes the deciding factor. Based on the above-mentioned duty principle, we think Rabbi Feinstein himself provides the answer. “It may very well be that there is no biblical obligation to cure such a patient, or rather attempt to prolong his life. The commandment “And he may heal” may not apply to a [physican treating a] patient for whom there is no potential for healing.”[14] Quality of life becomes a dominant factor when there is no hope to cure the patient and hence no normative obligation. Rabbi Feinstein is also very concerned about the quality of life of a dying patient in concert with the modern hospice movement, and rules that regarding a dying patient “it is certainly forbidden to cause any unnecessary pain to the patient. If no medical care is indicated, there is no rational reason why routine blood chemistry should be done on the patient…..Only that which is clearly for the patient’s benefit should be done….. The imminence of death does not relieve the physician from the obligation to do everything for the comfort of the patient.”[15] It is clear to Rabbi Feinstein that for the duty-bound physician other normative obligations such as “Love your neighbor as yourself” certainly apply to dying patients, and there is still much a doctor can do for these patients, such as relieving suffering. However, he fervently opposes any form of active euthanasia.[16]
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Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks:
I also agree with Chaim on this. I think the people who don't would change their minds if they were the ones dying of terminal cancer.
kellymaureen:
--- Quote from: C.F. on February 10, 2008, 04:33:02 PM ---I also agree with Chaim on this. I think the people who don't would change their minds if they were the ones dying of terminal cancer.
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You are right!
I watched cancer eat through my aunt to the point that her bones would shatter each time they tried to move her. She was kept doped to the eyeballs but still would scream out in agony once in a while. Sometimes death is better than life.
Sarah:
--- Quote from: DownwithIslam on February 10, 2008, 03:12:07 PM ---I totally agree with Chaim on this. He wasn't saying that euthanasia was justified, he was saying that if their is absolutely no chance the person would survive, why should the person have to be tortured further? He wasn't saying that people could just kill themselves left and right.
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Who certifies that there is absolutely no chance of survival?
I read a story somewhere about a woman with terminal cancer, who was admitted Euthanasia because she was affirmed that she only had 2 months to live and was in constant agony. It was later discovered that she was actually in remission.
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