Judaism values human life above all. The principle of saving a life is referred to as pikuach nefesh. It is considered to be more important than all other mitzvot.
Do not sand idly by the blood of your neighbor. I am Adonai.
Leviticus 19:16
Rashi comments: Do not stand by at your neighbor's blood. Witnessing his death, and you are able to rescue him, for instance, if he is drowning in the river, or if a wild beast or robbers are attacking him.
Sifra Kedoshim; Sanhedrin 73a
In this text, God does not command that one must save the life of their neighbor or prevent the spilling of their blood. The instruction is to not do nothing. What is being commanded?
Why isn’t the text more directive?
It has been enacted that in every place in which Jews live, the community sets aside a fund for care of the sick. When poor people are ill and who cannot afford medical expenses, the community sends them a doctor to visit them, and the medicine is paid for by the communal fund.
Tzitz Eliezer V, Ramat Rahel— Collection of Response on Medical Issues
What can you infer from this text about communal obligation and responsibility?
Does your community have a fund like this? Do you know of what local resources currently exist for the uninsured?
What does this text insinuate about equality and equity?
The Torah gave permission to the doctor to heal, and it is even a commandment. Even more so, it is [the commandment] of saving a life. One who prevents himself from doing so is considered to have shed blood.
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 336:1
This text suggests that one who can help but doesn’t, is guilty of doing harm. What does this text imply about cost prohibitive healthcare?
How does insurance interfere with doctors’ ability to save lives?
All of Israel is responsible for one another.
Talmud Shevuot 39a
(This text can be expounded upon to read ‘All people are responsible for one another.’)
How does this text relate to those in need of affordable healthcare?
What does this text imply about the obligation we have for the wellbeing of others?
One who has medications, and another person is sick and needs them, it is forbidden to raise their prices beyond what is appropriate.
Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah 336:3
What do you think the word appropriate means in this context?
In our country, who decides “what is appropriate?”.
This text study prepared by Cantor Emily Simkin.
Comments