!!core two: Jewish Bioethics

Question 1

‘Pikauch Nefesh’ definition

Answer 1

To save ones life even to the extent of violating other commandments

Question 2

‘Tzelem Elohim’ defintion

Answer 2

Scripture Reference Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image..”

Question 3

‘The Sanctity of Life’ definition

Answer 3

The human life is sacred and Jewish people have the duty of saving it whenever possible.

Question 4

3 principals of Jewish Bioethics

Answer 4

1, Human life has infinite value,

2. Aging, death and illness are a natural part of life
3. Improvement of a patients quality of life is a constant commitment

Question 5

‘Abortion’

Answer 5

A bioethical issue from a Jewish perspective. Abortion is the killing of an unborn fetus or embryo.

Question 6

Abortion in Jewish belief.

Answer 6

Life according to Jewish people begins at ‘crowning’ where a child enters the mothers womb. It is known as ‘Nefesh’ meaning soul or spirit.

Question 7

Abortion in Jewish belief

Answer 7

Abortion goes against the Jewish belief as

• Killing a foetus breaks something made in light of God’s image (Genesis 1:27)
• It is wrong to injure ones self

Question 8

Orthodox perspective on Abortion.

Answer 8

While the child is of ‘Nefesh’, The Halacha endows this potential life based on the Mitzvot “Whoever sheds mans blood, by man is blood shall be shed” (Genesis 9:6)
Orthodox Jews strongly oppose Abortion .. It is a covenantal obligation to procreate - so to harm or kill the result of this procreation is to go against the will of God.

Question 9

Circumstances where Abortion may be permissible

Answer 9

• There’s a direct effect to the mother
• Keeping the baby causes mental distress or illness
• Rape or Incest
• Genetic deformities (Down Syndrome)

Question 10

‘Euthanasia’

Answer 10

Translates to “Good-Death”, defined as hasting death for those terminally ill.
TWO TYPES:
-Active Euthanasia.. the deliberate killing of a person through lethal injection of morphine…
-Passive Euthanasia…. the removal of life sustaining methods (life support machine, medication etc).. allowing the natural process to take place.

Question 11

Jewish perspective on Euthanasia

Answer 11

From a Jewish perspective, a sick person is seen as a “Gosses” (someone who is waiting to die, but still very much alive). Euthanasia is seen as alright for ending suffering but is ending a life that belongs to God.

Question 12

Orthodox Jews to Euthanasia

Answer 12

Orthodox Jews follow the teaching that both active and passive Euthanasia is forbidden because even if the individual was a Gosses, Euthanasia is seen as suicide, in terms of murder.. ‘thou shalt not kill’, the commandments…

Question 13

Conservative Jews to Euthanasia

Answer 13

Forbids Active Euthanasia (Lethal Injection) based of Halacha law. But permits Passive Euthanasia (restriction of medication).,. They see Active Euthanasia as murder but passive Euthanasia as natural..

Question 14

Progressive Jews to Euthanasia

Answer 14

progressive Jews believe that a suffering person is no longer an image of God “…for in his own image God made humankind.” (Genesis 9:6) and can no longer live out what they were put on the earth to do.

Question 15

Conservative Jews on Abortion

Answer 15

Abortion is justifiable if it poses a threat to the mother.

Question 16

Progressive Jews on Abortion

Answer 16

Abortion is justifiable if it poses a threat to the mother or if it is a result of Rape or Incest.