What do you think about Organ Donation?

[Dr. Dan]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1205420767689&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Lisa]

Isn't it against the Jewish religion to donate organs?  I always wanted to know why, if it can save a life.

[Dr. Dan]

me too. Some will argue that you need all of your organs to be resurrected in the world to come.  Then we think of the 6 million who were turned to ash during the Shoah and many will say, "oh, they are the exception."  However, i would think that if one saves a life in that manner, it should also be the exception.

On the other hand, one will claim that the life saved might be an evil monster and not a righteous person therefore the act itself is nullified.

I would rather err on the side of life if I could put my two cents in if i could save a life without ending mine with the exception of being brain dead and only machines keep me alive.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

Its a yes and no. IF lets say a relative needs a kidney or else they will die, and cant get it from anyone else, then yes your allowed to give it (I belive, but someone should double check). But randomly donating your organs, or signing something that says if you die they can take your organs, I dont belive is allowed.

[Dr. Dan]

Its a yes and no. IF lets say a relative needs a kidney or else they will die, and cant get it from anyone else, then yes your allowed to give it (I belive, but someone should double check). But randomly donating your organs, or signing something that says if you die they can take your organs, I dont belive is allowed.

So to requote you, it might be allowed to save a relative's life and it can't come from somewhere else...but when one is basically dead, it is not allowed to remove organs (even with signed permission) to harvest it for saving a life in the future.  I would only agree wtih this if you said it was wrong to REQUIRE someone to do it, but volunteering would be a different story.  We can talk more about this at length.

what if a nonkosher animal, such as a pig, was able to save someone's life with its heart?  Is this unkosher?

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

Its a yes and no. IF lets say a relative needs a kidney or else they will die, and cant get it from anyone else, then yes your allowed to give it (I belive, but someone should double check). But randomly donating your organs, or signing something that says if you die they can take your organs, I dont belive is allowed.

So to requote you, it might be allowed to save a relative's life and it can't come from somewhere else...but when one is basically dead, it is not allowed to remove organs (even with signed permission) to harvest it for saving a life in the future.  I would only agree wtih this if you said it was wrong to REQUIRE someone to do it, but volunteering would be a different story.  We can talk more about this at length.

what if a nonkosher animal, such as a pig, was able to save someone's life with its heart?  Is this unkosher?

 I just brought that as an example. Im not saying any Halacha. (just an opinion).

[Dr. Dan]

Its a yes and no. IF lets say a relative needs a kidney or else they will die, and cant get it from anyone else, then yes your allowed to give it (I belive, but someone should double check). But randomly donating your organs, or signing something that says if you die they can take your organs, I dont belive is allowed.

So to requote you, it might be allowed to save a relative's life and it can't come from somewhere else...but when one is basically dead, it is not allowed to remove organs (even with signed permission) to harvest it for saving a life in the future.  I would only agree wtih this if you said it was wrong to REQUIRE someone to do it, but volunteering would be a different story.  We can talk more about this at length.

what if a nonkosher animal, such as a pig, was able to save someone's life with its heart?  Is this unkosher?

 I just brought that as an example. Im not saying any Halacha. (just an opinion).

oh ok..i gotchya..it would be an interesting discussion to have on this forum, in light of what Israel has currently allowed.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

It is forbidden to simply donate to an "organ bank," where there is no specific, immediate recipient. BUT to save a life it would be allowed.

[Dr. Dan]

It is forbidden to simply donate to an "organ bank," where there is no specific, immediate recipient. BUT to save a life it would be allowed.

does that mean that halakhically, saving a life is defined as an urgent moment to save a life

[Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks]

I think it's a noble thing. Christianity does not condemn it, for sure (I think Catholicism may have at one time, but I don't believe currently).

[Ari]

My organs are faulty.  I don't want to put anyone else through my misery.

[דוד בן זאב אריה]

You can't donate Organs because doing so desturbs a dead body. If you are alive like donating a Kidney which you have two of I don't think it is problem but I could be wrong

[Dr. Dan]

You can't donate Organs because doing so desturbs a dead body. If you are alive like donating a Kidney which you have two of I don't think it is problem but I could be wrong

but what if someone is still alive, but brain dead...and his/her body is functioning because of a machine?  If he/she volunteered to do it, why shouldn't he/she be allowed to donate?

[Rubystars]

I don't personally believe that the body is important after you've left it. Sure, it should be treated with respect, as it once contained a human spirit, but the person isn't there anymore, in my opinion. I don't see why people shouldn't be able to have those organs if it would help them to live.

[MassuhDGoodName]

They can have everything but my Hammond!

[Dr. Dan]

I don't personally believe that the body is important after you've left it. Sure, it should be treated with respect, as it once contained a human spirit, but the person isn't there anymore, in my opinion. I don't see why people shouldn't be able to have those organs if it would help them to live.

you're correct. However, technically, as soon as someone dies they need to washed and then buried.  When a body is being prepared for burial, one must be careful to continue to treat it like it was alive such as to ask it permission to move it's hand while washing it, or not to talk around it or to stare at it.  So i would think that if someone doesn't volunteer to harvest his organs, it should be left on disturbed after death even if that person doesn't need it.

[Nic Brookes]

They can have everything but my Hammond!

LOL