Judaism Flashcards
What are the contributions of Moses Mendelssohn?
Emancipation
Haskalah
Emancipation Impacts are…
Encouraging Jews to integrate into European Society
Jewish Secular & Cultural Life
Haskalah Impacts…
Enlightenment
What are the bioethical principles in Judaism?
(SHIT)
Sanctity of life
Human bodies belong to God
Illnesses and death are a natural part of life
There should be a constant commitment to improving an ill person’s life
What are examples of bioethical practices?
Abortion
IVF
Euthanasia
What is Abortion?
Relation to the variants
Termination of pregnancy by the removal of an embryo or fetus.
In Judaism the foetus is seen as a potential human being so the life of the mother is of a higher priority.
Orthodox - only allowed if the mother is in a life-threatening situation
Conservative - generally accept abortion if the women’s mental health is in danger
Reform - extend their permissibility for abortion to cases of insest or permanent conditions that will put the physical or mental health of the potential human in danger
What is Euthanasia?
Relation to variants
Intentionally ending a life to eliminate pain and suffering
Orthodox - views as a violation of God’s will
Conservative - growing support for passive euthanasia and the withholding of life-sustaining treatments
Reform - Reform Judaism still opposes active euthanasia (e.g., assisted suicide), there’s a growing understanding that in certain circumstances, withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment might be permissible, particularly when such treatment is considered a burden rather than a benefit
What is IVF?
Relation to Jewish variants
In virtro fertilization (IVF) is the Fertilisation of the egg by the sperm outside of the body, usually in a lab.
Orthodox perspective on abortion, euthanasia, IVF
Abortion - only allowed if the mother is in a life-threatening situation
Euthanasia - violation of God’s will
IVF - often permissible (allowed) even encouraged
Conservative perspective on abortion, euthanasia, IVF
Abortion - generally accepted if the woman’s mental health is in danger
Euthanasia - growing support for passive euthanasia and the withholding of life-sustaining treatment
IVF - egg & sperm donation
Reform perspective on abortion, euthanasia, IVF
Abortion - extend their permissibility for abortion to cases of incest (sexual relations with close relative such as a brother or sister) or permanent conditions that will put the physical or mental health of the potential human in danger
Euthanasia - still opposes active euthanasia (eg. assisted suicide), there’s a growing understanding that in certain circumstances, withdrawing or with-holding life-sustaining treatments might be permissible, particularly when such treatment is considered a burden rather than a benefit
IVF - egg & sperm donation
Jewish law on IVF
not object to the destruction of extra embryos left over from the IVF process. If they are left out of the womb, they are incapable of sustaining individual life and as such there is no problem
