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Studies of Religion > Judaism: Bioethics ✅ > Flashcards

Judaism: Bioethics ✅ Flashcards

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1
Q

Definition: Ethics

A

Moral principles that govern a person’s actions or behaviour

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2
Q

Definition: Moral principles that govern a person’s actions or behaviour

A

Ethics

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3
Q

Definition: Halachah

A

The a body of Jewish law

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4
Q

Definition: The a body of Jewish law

A

Halachah

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5
Q

Definition: Responsa

A

A written reply by a rabbi to an inquiry on some Jewish matter

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6
Q

Definition: A written reply by a rabbi to an inquiry on some Jewish matter

A

Responsa

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7
Q

Definition: Bioethics

A

The ethics of medical and biological research

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8
Q

Definition: The ethics of medical and biological research

A

Bioethics

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9
Q

Definition: Tenak

A

The Hebrew bible consisting of the written Torah

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10
Q

Definition: The Hebrew bible consisting of the written Torah

A

Tenak

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11
Q

Definition: Torah

A

The first five books of the Hebrew bible it contains the Jewish ethics and commandments

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12
Q

Definition: The first five books of the Hebrew bible it contains the Jewish ethics and commandments

A

Torah

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13
Q

Definition: Talmud

A

A full collection of all the Jewish ethics laws and commandments covered in the Torah, and goes into depth on these laws.

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14
Q

Definition: A full collection of all the Jewish ethics laws and commandments covered in the Torah, and goes into depth on these laws.

A

Talmud

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15
Q

Definition: Mishnah

A

The First part of the Talmud that contains all the Jewish oral traditions

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16
Q

Definition: The First part of the Talmud that contains all the Jewish oral traditions

A

Mishnah

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17
Q

Definition: Gemara

A

The part of the Talmud where there is a rabbinical commentary on the traditions and principles outlined in the Mishnah

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18
Q

Definition: The part of the Talmud where there is a rabbinical commentary on the traditions and principles outlined in the Mishnah

A

Gemara

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19
Q

Definition: Midrash

A

The section of the Talmud where rabbis have the authority to change or update in order to accommodate to the ever changing world.

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20
Q

Definition: The section of the Talmud where rabbis have the authority to change or update in order to accommodate to the ever changing world.

A

Midrash

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21
Q

Definition: Nevi’im

A

The second part of the Jewish bible, its after the Torah, and covers the teachings of the prophets

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22
Q

Definition: The second part of the Jewish bible, its after the Torah, and covers the teachings of the prophets

A

Nevi’im

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23
Q

Definition: Ketuvim

A

The third and final part of the Jewish bible (Tenak) comes after Nevi’im, and consists of poetry, wisdom ect.

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24
Q

Definition: The third and final part of the Jewish bible (Tenak) comes after Nevi’im, and consists of poetry, wisdom ect.

A

Ketuvim

25
Q

Definition: Pikuach nefesh

A

Is the idea that any law can be violated in order to save a human’s life, except taking God’s name in vain, murder, incest, and idolatary.

26
Q

Definition: Is the idea that any law can be violated in order to save a human’s life, except taking God’s name in vain, murder, incest, and idolatary.

A

Pikuach nefesh

27
Q

Definition: Avot

A

A chapter of the Mishnah that is totally devoted to ethics, morals and values.

28
Q

Definition: A chapter of the Mishnah that is totally devoted to ethics, morals and values.

A

Avot

29
Q

What are the four foundations of Jewish Ethics?

A
  • Halachah
  • Responsa
  • Decalogue
  • Avot
30
Q

How does Halachah contribute to the foundation of Jewish ethics?

A
  • The Halachah provides the basis for the ethical and moral way of life.
  • The essential basis of all Jewish ethics is the declaration that God is good
  • If God is good then God’s people are to imitate and express this goodness. Therefore Jews should be kind, thoughtful to other people and not hurt them physically or emotionally.
  • The Halachah does not legislate rules for every single situation, these matters are considered as an individual judgment.
31
Q

How does the Responsa contribute to the foundation of Jewish ethics?

A

• Today there are many new situations and issues that are not outlined in the Torah. So another source has been developed called the Responsa. This where Jewish adherents can ask rabbis questions regarding modern situations and issues.

32
Q

How does the Decalogue contribute to the foundation of Jewish ethics?

A
  • God gave the Israelites these commandments to maintain their focus on God and others.
  • The Decalogue is part of a set of instructions on how the Jews were expected to live their lives obedient to God’s will.
33
Q

How do the chapters of the Avot contribute to the foundation of Jewish ethics?

A

• The Avot are chapters of the Mishnah that are totally devoted to ethics, morals and values.

34
Q

Quote - Three principals in the Avot

A

“Do not judge your fellow until you have stood in his place.” (Avot)
“Let your home be wide open, and let the poor be members of your house.” (Avot)
“For one that does not occupy himself in Torah is considered an outcast.” (Avot)

35
Q

What are some of the key ethical principals outlined in the Torah? + Quotes

A

• Treat others and God with respect
“What does the lord require of you? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” - Michah 6:8

• Ethics are derived from God’s word
“…the world stands on three things, Torah, avodah [worship], and acts of loving kindness.” - Mishnah, Avot 1:2

• Treat others how you would want to be treated
“Whatever you hate to have done to you, do not do to your neighbour…” - Midrash, Avot

36
Q

What is the most important ethical issue in relation to bioethics?

A

The infinite value of Human life. Pikuach Nefesh: The preservation of human life can override almost any other religious rule

37
Q

With Pikuach Nefesh in mind, what are five ethical principals that must be adhered to?

A
  • Do not kill
  • Each life is of infinite value and no one person’s life is more valuable than another
  • Each one’s life belongs to God
  • There is a duty to save life and heal the sick
  • Actions towards others are the manifestation and imitation of God
38
Q

Quote - Pikuach Nefesh

A

“Whosoever destroys a single life.. It is as though he had destroyed a complete world; and whosoever preserves a single soul… scripture ascribes to him as though he had preserved a complete world.” (Talmud, Sanhedrin 37a)

39
Q

Quote - Neighbours

A

“Love their neighbors as themselves” (Leviticus 19:18)

40
Q

What three principals are decisions in bioethics generally based on?

A
  1. Human life has infinite value
  2. Ageing illness and death are a natural part of life
  3. Improvement of the patients quality of life is a constant commitment
41
Q

Overarching Jewish stance on Abortion

A

The idea of social abortion, that is, abortion that is not necessary for the mother’s health and survival, are strictly forbidden amongst most Jewish sects.

42
Q

What is the Jewish teaching on when life starts?

A

While they forbid termination of the fetus, most Jewish sects disagree with the notion that life begins at conception. While it is generally considered that the fetus is not alive, feticide is still considered a detestable sin amongst many Jewish sects.

43
Q

Quote - Life doesn’t begin at contraception

A

“And if she is pregnant, until forty days from conception the fetus is merely water. It is not yet considered a living being,” (Babylonian Talmud, Yevamot 69b)

44
Q

Why does Judaism prevent abortion?

A

• Although abortion (before the first 40 days) is not considered murder by most Jewish people, it is still considered preventing human life from beginning.
• One of the most important mitzvot in the Jewish Halakhah is the command in Genesis 1:28 which states:
“Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28)
• This mitzvot commands the Jewish people to populate the Earth. It is believed that feticide is preventing a life to begin and therefore going against God’s instructions to be fruitful and multiply.

45
Q

Under what circumstances may abortion be permitted?

A

If the fetus will place the mother’s physical and mental health at risk.

46
Q

Quote - Where abortion is permitted

A

“If a woman has (life-threatening) difficulty in childbirth, one dismembers the embryo within her, limb by limb, because her life takes precedence over its life.” (Mishna, Ohalot 7:6)

47
Q

General stance on reproductive technologies, namly In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

A
  • The use of various reproductive technologies, namely In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is highly encouraged when couples who have tried traditional methods of reproduction are left with no other options.
  • This belief is largely drawn from the first commandment in the Torah, “Be fruitful and multiply.” This command is highly regarded in Judaism as they are expected to have children to be considered spiritually ‘complete’. Any process which allows the fulfillment of this command is generally considered acceptable.
48
Q

Quote - Assisting Reproduction

A

“anything that assists reproduction, helping to overcome infertility, is welcome as a great blessing.” (Yoel Jakobovits)

49
Q

Where does controversy arise in the IVF process?

A
  • While IVF is generally considered acceptable amongst all sects of Judaism, there is still controversy over the ethicality of artificial insemination, as the ‘spilling of seed’ is considered a sin in Halakhah law.
  • This is derived from the narrative in Genesis 38:8-10 in where the wasteful emission of seed is likened to murder or idolatry.
  • Some conservitive sects believe that IVF should be closely monitored so as to not waste sperm in the procedure, while some orthodox sects completely forbid the practice.
  • The ethicality of surrogacy for mothers wanting to have children with damaged reproductive organs is a contested issue as it could be considered adultery.
  • Some rabbinical scholars forbid surrogate mothers as it is the introduction of sperm into a body that is not their wife.
  • Surrogacy is also problematic as a Jew must be born from a Jewish mother, therefore introducing a gentile mother may render the child illegitimate, even if the child is not genetically related to the surrogate.
50
Q

Quote - Monogamy in relationships

A

“The sanctity of family life requires a single husband and wife.” (Rabbi Marc Gellman)

51
Q

Individual branch’s stance on reproductive technologies (IVF)

A

Generally, Orthodox Jews lean towards abstaining from reproductive technologies where possible, Conservative Jews allow it under monitored circumstances, and Reformed Jews tend to promote it.

52
Q

Overall Jewish stance on euthanasia

A

All sects of Judaism forbid active euthanasia however the view on passive euthanasia is somewhat divided with Orthodox and Conservative Jews generally forbidding it and Reformed Jews generally allowing it.

53
Q

Where is the stance on active euthanasia derived from?

A

The Decalogue, God’s command, ‘Do not kill’

54
Q

Quote - Value of someone in a dying condition

A

“One who is in a dying condition is regarded as a living person in all respects.” (Semachot 1:1)

55
Q

What is the definition of Passive euthanasia

A

Refraining from supplying any medical attention that would prolong one’s life.

56
Q

Orthodox and Conservative Jew’s stance on passive euthanasia

A

Many Orthodox and Conservitive Jews believe all forms of euthanasia, active and passive contradict God’s direct command to preserve life.

57
Q

Quote - Anti-Passive Euthanasia

A

“The value of human life is infinite and beyond measure” (Immanuel Jakobovits)

58
Q

Reformed Jew’s stance on passive euthanasia

A

It is more likely for a Reformed Jew, however, to be lenient towards allowing a life to end if it would lessen the amount of pain one will endure before death.

59
Q

Quote - Pro-Passive Euthanasia

A

“if there is anything which causes a hindrance to the departure of the soul…it is permissible to remove [it]” (Joseph Karo, Response)

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