Religion versus Medicine

[mick_hale]

This is a bit of a burning issue for me. I tend to take this very personally, especially within Judaism, since within Judaism, it should be crystal clear that the health, well-being, quality of life, and life of the patient takes precedence over any kind of halachic consideration whatsoever, with the exception of Murder, Adultery, and Idolatry (

Comments

[ehwhy]

Earlier this year was the first time I have ever gone to a Posek on a medical shilo. My Rabbi didn't feel knowledgeable enough to answer the question with someone more knowledgeable available. The person I spoke to is an expert in the field of medicine and even had a doctor present to double check my questions.

The shilo involved a situation that required being machal shabbat but the standard definition of Pekuach Nefesh applied. As we have discussed the Posek had to consider issues of Derisah and DeRabannan to come up with the appropriate answer. The Torah may not have discussed the particular case the principles are all laid out.

There is currently a case in Ontario being considered by the Government. A young man needs medicine that costs $500,000 a year for the rest of his life or he will die. The Government is trying to decide to pay for the medication or let him die. While not practical halchacily in this case there are plenty of ethical questions to be considered. While not necessarily structured as medical advice the Torah would deal directly with these serious issues.

On the flip side when I was in Ulpan our teacher would never let us order mushrooms on our theoretical pizza because the Rambam said it was unhealthy. Such medical advice would be taken on a much lighter basis.

[vcfilks]

Situations like that have nothing to do with halacha deciding a reality, however. It's deciding when you're allowed or not allowed to violate a law to save a life. Halacha doesn't try to tell you it won't work or anything like that.

I've asked pikuach nefesh questions multiple times.

[ehwhy]

OK