Questions tagged [medicine]
NOTE: For professional medical advice, please contact your physician.
132
questions
28
votes
8
answers
2k
views
Is one allowed to smoke?
Nowadays, since there are studies that show that smoking is dangerous to health, is one allowed to smoke or is it violating "Venishmartem Meod Lenafshosechem"?
- 40.1k
12
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Is a Jew permitted to have an abortion?
Under what, if any, circumstances may a Jewish woman undergo an abortion? Can a Jewish doctor perform an abortion?
As each case and individual is unique, please consult your rabbi for practical ...
- 10.4k
20
votes
7
answers
5k
views
If a pig was genetically modified to chew its cud, would it be kosher?
If they were to genetically modify a pig to chew its cud, would it be kosher?
- 4,431
5
votes
1
answer
865
views
In a non-life-threatening emergency, can a female doctor do a hospital procedure on a male or vice versa?
Surgery usually requires viewing parts of a naked person. Are there halachic problems with a doctor of opposite gender doing this on a Jewish patient? If the procedure is one where part of the body ...
- 69.6k
19
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Is Exercise on Shabbos Allowed?
Is one allowed to do exercises on Shabbos?
Are any types allowed? Some examples of different types:
Lifting weights or heavy items
Jumping jacks
Taking a walk (long, but without Techum issues)
Doing ...
- 38.4k
11
votes
1
answer
287
views
Beracha on Intravenous
There Gemara Berachot 35 says "anyone who enjoys from this world without a Beracha is stealing."
Does one make a Beracha on intravenous feeding?
- 16.5k
9
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Kosher status of medicine that comes in a gel capsule
What are the kashruth issues involved in the taking of gel-capsule medicine which does not have kosher certification?
user1668
6
votes
1
answer
533
views
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical procedure with the purpose of alteration or restoring the form of the body. But can everyone change the shape of their body and make it look like they want to?
We know ...
- 1,468
16
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Do surgically removed body parts require Kevurah?
If one has surgery (may it never be necessary) that requires the removal of an organ of the body (e.g. a gallbladder or appendix), is burial required? Or can the body part simply be discarded?
- 38.4k
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
According to Halacha, does one have to bury teeth?
Is there a halachic obligation to bury teeth that have fallen out, just as one buries other body parts that become detached?
If not, why?
Does the same apply to detached skin? Or hair?
Related: Do ...
- 20.9k
14
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Nose Job in Halacha
Is a nose job allowed Hallachicly? Not all cosmetic surgeries, but rhinoplasty in particular, as I heard that rhinoplasty is allowed because we see by a Kohen that having an abnormally long nose is a ...
- 9,021
14
votes
4
answers
1k
views
DNA and Jewish Law
Why isn't DNA seen as a valid source of Halachic decision making?
Is it because it's too small for the naked eye? A margin of error problem? What?
Normally, physical evidence is plenty of information ...
- 18.8k
11
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Loshon hara to a therapist
Is saying things that would otherwise be considered loshon hara permitted in the context of mental health therapy?
I am not familiar with the details of therapeutic schools, but I understand that ...
- 19.5k
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can we violate Shabbos to inject a vaccine?
Vaccines save lives. I'm not here to argue about that, take it somewhere else. If you don't agree, for the purposes of this question just imagine I'm talking about some medicine that accomplishes ...
- 18.9k
8
votes
5
answers
688
views
Is the brain the seat of the soul?
There are disturbing ideas in the Feb 21, 2011 Time magazine cover article 2045: The Year Man Becomes Immortal. The article attributes to Raymond Kurzweil the prediction that within the next 25 years ...
- 267
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
May a Brit Milah be performed by a (non-Jewish) doctor?
Some friends would feel more comfortable having their newborn circumcised with a regular doctor and in a hospital setting where the environment is more sterile, maybe better pain management options ...
- 1,424
6
votes
3
answers
552
views
Acceptable to receive transplant of organs grown inside pigs?
If scientists could grow human organs inside of pigs, would it be halachically acceptable to receive a transplant of such an organ?
A recent article in National Public Radio about US and British ...
23
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Are there any sources that prohibit childhood vaccinations?
The consequences of depressed childhood vaccination rates in some American communities, in the form of a building measles outbreak, have been in the news lately.
All public schools and most private ...
- 47.4k
19
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Should one induce vomiting upon realizing s/he just ate non-kosher?
I've heard several stories of people who ate something, realized it was non-kosher, and therefore induced vomiting. Is this halachically required? Recommended? Does it accomplish anything? (If not, ...
- 129k
15
votes
3
answers
1k
views
May a woman with artifical metal legs wear a short skirt or pants?
May a woman (or a man) wear immodest clothing over an artificial part of her body?
(Lets assume that beged ish is not a consideration)
i.e. if she has artifical legs, may she wear short shorts?
...
- 7,363
13
votes
3
answers
344
views
What side does someone with Situs inversus bang
For tachanun, al cheit, twice in selach lanu etc, we bang on our heart. My question is: if someone has Situs inversus, a condition where the heart is on the right side of the body instead of the left, ...
- 2,375
12
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Can a man who has undergone sex change give his wife a Get?
If a married Jewish man undergoes the hormonal and surgical procedure of sex change, and "he's become a woman".
Would he still have the Halachic status of a man, at least relating to his marital ...
- 41.3k
11
votes
5
answers
605
views
Halachic considerations of ultrasonography on infant for gender
There are some people who specifically don't want to know their baby's gender before birth.
Is there any halachic basis to this, or is it just superstition?
- 38.4k
10
votes
2
answers
472
views
Do "most leading Orthodox rabbis" really hold that brain-stem death is death?
According to a recent NYTimes piece on the new organ donation law in Israel,
Most leading Orthodox rabbis -- as well as Israeli law -- agree that a person dies when his brain-stem stops functioning....
- 47.4k
8
votes
2
answers
377
views
Does use of bi-lateral cochlear implants eliminate the definition of a "cheresh"?
I have been reviewing Encyclopedia of Jewish Medical Ethics in the area that discusses people with partial hearing. I could not glean any answer regarding technological "fixes".
The insertion of ...
- 69.6k
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Halachic permissibility of a vasectomy
What are the halachic concerns surrounding vasectomies? Are vasectomies permitted by halacha under any circumstances?
The issues that I could see as possibly being connected would be chavala (...
- 19.5k
7
votes
1
answer
410
views
Can one have a surgery during the Nine Days?
I'll put the disclaimer right at the top for such a sensitive issue: See both your local orthodox Rav and local orthodox doctor if this Chas v'shalom becomes relevant to you.
The Background
There are ...
- 33.8k
7
votes
2
answers
178
views
is one obligated to employ conventional healing methods
A friend of mine has a medical condition. Doctors recommend a difficult surgery, which should stop the problem. If he does not undergo that surgery, his situation will deteriorate further, they say, ...
- 20.8k
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is a Cohen who had a vasectomy allowed to perform Birkat Kohanim?
Is Cohen who had a vasectomy allowed to Bless the congregation? Also marry? What happens if he does marry?
- 105
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why does medical marijuana need a kosher supervision?
Today, NY State joined several others in opening clinics to dispense medical marijuana. Distribution of this is restricted to patients who have severe illnesses such as Parkinson's Disease, epilepsy, ...
- 69.6k
5
votes
3
answers
2k
views
falling asleep on the left side to aid digestion
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 71:5 reads, in part (translation my own):
And it's good that he'll lie at the start of his sleep on the left side and at the end on the right side, as this is good for the ...
- 73.6k
4
votes
2
answers
635
views
Is a Cohen Allowed to Perform CPR?
CPR is performed when the heart has stopped but the brain is still alive. We have a general rule that a Cohen is not allowed to come in contact with a dead body. If so, does this mean that a Kohen ...
- 38.4k
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Are homeopathic remedies kosher?
I'm not sure what they put in the remedies but I would like to know if they are kosher and would batel beshishim apply in this case if there was a non-kosher ingredient?
- 9,489
3
votes
2
answers
285
views
If someone empties / changes his/her colonostomy bag, should s/he say "Asher Yatzar"?
If someone empties / changes his/her colonostomy bag, should s/he say "Asher Yatzar"? I would assume, yes, as this is the person's method of ridding waste. I assume the same answer would apply to ...
- 69.6k
21
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Returning after driving someone to the hospital on Shabbat
If a man needs to be brought to the hospital on Shabbat due to a life threatening situation, another man may bring him there even by violating biblical Shabbat prohibitions (e.g. driving a car). Which ...
18
votes
4
answers
3k
views
May a man become a gynecologist?
Is there any discussion among the halachic authorities as to whether or not a man can choose to pursue a medical career in gynaecology? The issue that I would presume exists is that unlike other parts ...
user2110
15
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Morning After Pill in Halacha
Is the morning-after pill considered an abortion in Halachic terms or does it have another status, and, if the latter, may it be used?
- 9,021
12
votes
2
answers
910
views
Are sex change operations prohibited for non-Jews?
In very specific situations some halachic decisors have permitted sex change operations, such as for infants born with some types of genital anomalies. However, the consensus seems to be that they ...
user3318
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Are Jewish women permitted to use birth control that stops menstruation?
Is there any reason that a Jewish woman who has permission from her Rabbi to use birth control could not choose a pill that stops her from menstruating? Although certain birth control pills are ...
- 19.5k
9
votes
2
answers
6k
views
If Consuming Blood is Prohibited Can Jews Accept Blood Transfusions?
According to Leviticus 7:26-27 Jews shouldn't consume blood. So why can Jews accept blood transfusions in non-life threatening situations? Is the act of inserting blood via arm not considered "...
anon
9
votes
1
answer
755
views
May we violate Shabbos to administer morphine?
Morphine has been widely used as a pain reliever for a very long time (according to Wikipedia, it's been in use at least since 1804!). It's even listed (twice!) on WHO's list of essential medicines. ...
- 18.9k
8
votes
1
answer
267
views
Pharmaceuticals and Kashrut
To what degree does medicine need to be kosher (not regarding pesach)? Most medicines are a random series of active ingredients with little meaning to the non medical professional - but what about "...
- 181
8
votes
2
answers
217
views
Does the existence of insurance affect end-of-life Halacha?
Consider the following case:
A baby is born with severe congenital defects. The doctors say that if nothing is done to address them, the baby will die within days. They also say that there's a series ...
- 47.4k
7
votes
2
answers
324
views
contact solution on shabbat
I use a contact solution that is hydrogen peroxide based. That is, the solution is hydrogen peroxide. The solution is put into a special case with a platinum disc at the bottom. The disc acts a ...
- 760
7
votes
3
answers
666
views
Unusual applications of Asher Yatzar
Does the blessing of Asher Yatzar (normally said upon using the bathroom) apply in other situations. For example in passing a kidney or gallstone? A woman who's water breaks or passes her mucus plug? ...
user2110
7
votes
3
answers
569
views
6
votes
1
answer
409
views
Is someone who has clinical depression allowed to take an antidepressant on Shabbos?
It’s my understanding that there’s two main categories of non-life threatening illnesses: מיחוש בעלמא, “average pain,” and נפל למשכב, one who is so sick that he’s unable to get out of bed. The former ...
- 33.8k
6
votes
1
answer
4k
views
When is there a heter to use a condom?
When, if ever, is there a heter for a married couple to use a condom as a form of birth control?
Question was inspired by this article
- 3,785
6
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Where is the source not to walk over someone because it stops him growing?
I have been brought up with the belief not to walk over someone because it can stunt their growth. Can anyone else here say where they have also heard of this? If yeah, where is the source?
- 6,016
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Caffeine pills vs. suppositories on Yom Kippur
It seems to be commonplace today for people to use caffeine suppositories on Yom Kippur, in order to deal with caffeine withdrawal from not being able to drink coffee.
I have to assume that this is ...
- 41.3k