Judaism and Bioethics

Question 1

Bioethical Sensibility

Answer 1

The culturally constructed norms, values, and feelings about what is right/wrong or healthy/unhealthy

Question 2

Pikuach Nefesh

Answer 2

The obligation in Jewish law to save a life when possible
Overrides most other commandments

Question 3

Sakanah

Answer 3

Danger or risk to life and health
Helps determine when Jewish laws can be overridden for medical need

Question 4

Choleh

Answer 4

A sick person who has special status in Jewish law
Laws are more lenient for them, others have duties to help them

Question 5

Safek

Answer 5

Doubt or uncertainty about a situation
Principle that in cases of doubt, choose the option that preserves life/health

Question 6

Shabbat restrictions

Answer 6

Categories of “work” prohibited on Sabbath
But can be violated if necessary to preserve life/health

Question 7

“It is good to be swift”

Answer 7

Act quickly and decisively in medical emergencies
Don’t hesitate to break Shabbat restrictions to help

Question 8

Rabbinical licensing

Answer 8

Rabbis licensed doctors to ensure competence, prevent harm
Provided some protection in cases of unintentional harm

Question 9

Acceptable risk

Answer 9

Balancing risks vs benefits in medical care
More willingness to accept risks to preserve life

Question 10

Compensation for time

Answer 10

Doctors compensated for time lost, not medical advice itself
Prevented exploiting patients’ desperation

Question 11

Medical malpractice

Answer 11

Negligence, standards of care
Unintentional harm protected if licensed doctor

Question 12

Mishnah, Gemara

Answer 12

Rabbinic texts compiling Oral Torah and debates/commentary
Mishnah contains laws, Gemara analyzes and comments

Question 13

Halakha

Answer 13

Jewish religious law derived from scriptures/rabbinic texts

Question 14

Mitzvah

Answer 14

Religious obligation or commandment

Question 15

Rofe

Answer 15

Physician

Question 16

Nahmanides and Maimonides

Answer 16

Influential medieval rabbi physicians who wrote on medical ethics

Question 17

Personhood

Answer 17

Human embodied and able to carry out mitzvot
Body and soul closely connected

Question 18

Alleviation of suffering

Answer 18

Obligation to relieve suffering even if laws must be violated

Question 19

Providing medical care

Answer 19

Not optional a religious commandment

Question 20

Body/soul distinction

Answer 20

More unified in Jewish thought than Christian thought

Question 21

Status of fetus

Answer 21

Considered part of the mother until birth

Question 22

Concerns about poor care

Answer 22

Licensing to prevent scams and incompetence

Question 23

Surprise about Jewish doctors

Answer 23

Despite antisemitism, Christians still used Jewish doctors

Question 24

Rights vs. duties

Answer 24

Contemporary bioethics focused on rights over duties
Jewish thought emphasizes duties

Question 25

“Etiolated” patient

Answer 25

Stripped of duties and relationships, just autonomous individual

Question 26

Friedman

Answer 26

Argues for duties based approach in consultations

Question 27

“Sing his song”

Answer 27

Accept judgment, then move on