Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: On Family or Doctors Making Decisions

Rabbi Steinsaltz suggests that though doctors and family members typically have no special right over the body of their patients and family members, in certain situations they, as the closest legal guardians, would be given permission to make decisions regarding them. The Rabbi cites several examples in which people are obligated to make medical decisions for those in need of medical treatment because those in need do not have the capacity to consent to measures that would preserve their health.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• steinsaltz
• talmud
• science
• medicine
• medicalethics
• judaism
• torah
• ethics
• morality
• society
• doctor
• jewish
• abortion
• euthanasia

[fullybuiltcory]

That's a really good point. You have no right over your childs body but you can cut off a healthy part of his penis? And at a time when babies need love and security the most. You seem like a genuinely nice person, but I'd like to see you take a stand against genital cutting. It would give me much more respect toward Jews to see this vile practice end!

[tijeffe]

You just said that the parents have no right over their children's bodies. If that is so, then parents have no right to mulilate their boys with circumcision. I would like to hear you state that for the world to hear. Circumcision is a horrible form of unnecessary mutilation that does not belong in this world anymore. If this rabbi is honest and not a hypocrite, he should spread the idea of stopping this barbaric practice on the penis of the newborn.

[tijeffe]

You just said that the parents have no right over their children's bodies. If that is so, then parents have no right to mulilate their boys with circumcision. I would like to hear you state that for the world to heart. Circumcision is a horrible form of unnecessary mutilation that does not belong in this world anymore. If this rabbi is honest and not a hypocrite, he should spread the idea of stopping this barbaric practice on the penis of the newborn.

[zofoblues]

There is no GOD. Your point is mute. Do to yourself as you wish but i will do to myself as i wish.