12
votes
Torah response to epidemics
Bava Kamma 60b recommends quarantine.
ת"ר דבר בעיר כנס רגליך שנאמר ואתם לא תצאו איש מפתח ביתו עד בקר ואומר (ישעיהו כו, כ) לך עמי בא בחדריך וסגור דלתיך בעדך ואומר (דברים לב, כה) מחוץ תשכל חרב ...
- 34.1k
11
votes
Can you lie to a terminally ill child?
The Shulchan Arukh (YD 337) writes:
חולה שמת לו מת -- אין מודיעין אותו, שמא תטרף דעתו עליו. ואין קורעין חלוקו, ואין בוכין, ואין מספידין בפניו שלא ישבר לבו. ומשתיקין את המנחמין מפניו.
A sick ...
- 97.4k
9
votes
Is killing the terminally ill OK?
No, it does not mean that. It is definitely prohibited to hasten the death even of one who is about to die (ShA YD 339:1). One who murders a terminally ill individual doesn't receive statutory ...
- 97.4k
8
votes
How can I pray for Jewish people as they approach death? I am a hospice chaplain
Thank you for asking the question and performing this great action. In his book Mourning in Halacha (pp. 29-46), Rabbi Chaim Binyamin Goldberg has a number of recommendations based on Jewish law which ...
- 48.2k
7
votes
Is there a prayer for seeing an ambulance?
R Telushkin asks exactly this question in one of his earlier books (I believe it is The book of Jewish values but can check if important to someone). He is quoted here
Rabbi Telushkin mentioned ...
- 48.2k
7
votes
Tahara procedure for a body with an infectious disease
Regarding the spread of COVID-19, the National Association of Chevra Kadisha headed by Rav Elchonon Zohn stated the following guidelines:
The following are suggested guidelines and precautions ...
- 13.8k
7
votes
May someone say the prayer for the ill for someone who is emotionally "ill"?
One is exempt (from punishment) by extinguishing a flame on Sabbath for the sake of an emotionally ill person (cf. Rambam's commentary to Mishnah Shab. 2:5). Emotional instability/numbness also ...
- 11.9k
6
votes
Accepted
Can commandments be transgressed to prevent future illnesses?
TL;DR: According to some authorities, future danger to life allows for current intervention that violates biblical halakha if necessary. However, that may only apply in cases where the future danger ...
- 35.4k
6
votes
Accepted
Shabbat in Quarantine
See here for a transcription of Rav Heinemann's shiur yesterday on the relevant topics.
Laining - One is not יוצא when he lains from a חומש. However, there is
an ענין to have a זכר of laining and ...
- 13.8k
6
votes
Is it permissible for a convert to care for a sick parental figure at home?
Welcome to Mi Yodeya and thank you for sharing your question. May it be G-d's will to send a complete and speedy recovery to your Aunt and also to give you peace of mind, tranquility of spirit and ...
- 14.3k
6
votes
Must one fast if her stomach hurts?
On 17 Tammuz, like on Tzom Gedalyia and 10 Tevet, the law is that
One who is ill, even if his life is not in danger, should not fast
(Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:9)
adds the Mishna Brura (550:4)
...
- 48.2k
5
votes
May a couple forgo relations out of convenience?
It appears that yes, indeed, you can postpone relations if both spouses agree, but it is best avoided.
The international Beis Horaah says
It is better not to postpone marital relations, but if it ...
- 48.2k
5
votes
Source needed: Allowing one to pray for non-critical illness on Shabbat
R' Binyamin Shlomo Hamburger wrote an extensive and thorough survey of the issue of praying for the ill on Shabbat in Chitzei Gibborim vol. 6 including his characteristic historical geographic ...
- 97.4k
5
votes
Is it proper to daven for someone who has "no hope"?
To quote the Gemara in Berachos 10a:
For background: King Chizkiya was ill. Yeshaya gave him a Nevuah that he would die from this illness, and after telling Chizkiya that there was nothing that could ...
- 34.1k
5
votes
How can I pray for Jewish people as they approach death? I am a hospice chaplain
This is intended as a supplement to mbloch's answer, which refers and links to a collection of practices and prayers that provides ample material for the chaplain to choose from.
Speaking without ...
- 47.8k
5
votes
Is it allowed to suck blood from a wound?
This happened to me recently so I looked (post facto) for the answer.
R David Sperling gives background here
The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 66:10) states that human blood, after
it has left the body,...
- 48.2k
5
votes
Accepted
Was Achashveirosh feeling unwell in beginning of chapter six?
In the days of absolute monarchy, the king would start his day whenever he felt like. Those who wanted to get something from him would come as early as they could in order to be available whenever he ...
- 42.9k
5
votes
Face Mask for Shmoneh Esreh?
The mishna brura gives a general guideline of how ones attire should be when davening 90:1
Specifically that one should see themselves standing in front of a king and with awe and dress accordingly.
...
- 1,426
5
votes
Father is sick but he's not Jewish
The standard approach is to Daven for him as (name) ben (father's name) based on the Maharshal, although there are other customs.
See here and here for example.
See also Yechaveh Da'as 6:60 for more ...
- 5,365
5
votes
Accepted
Bava Kamma 60: getting sick because you fear getting sick
The Ben Yehoyada is the one who mentions the Maharsha. He is referring to the Maharsha on that Gemara. The Maharsha is assuming the premise that obviously it is a good idea to leave/avoid the area of ...
- 4,988
4
votes
Are people taking care of their toddlers Patur from Sukkah?
There are two comparisons they need to be examined:
1. between bitul asse deorayta and shvut deshabbat (davka shvut de amira lenochri),
2. between cooking meal and taking care of an ill person. In ...
- 22.7k
4
votes
Accepted
Hospitalized - visit by my Rabbi
Of course, the situation depends entirely on how the two of you feel like handling it.
However, this may help:
One source for covering the cross is based upon the ruling of the Kaf HaChaim 113:27 ...
- 10.7k
4
votes
Accepted
How many people are needed to (virtually) eliminate a person's sickness?
Depends how close you want to get.
(These are the days I wish Mi Yodeya supported MathJax.)
Each person leaves with 1/60 of the guy's sickness. Thus, for x visitors, the choleh is left with (59/60)^...
- 34.1k
4
votes
Accepted
Understanding G-d's description as a "doctor" or "healer"
As you mentioned, "רפואה" can mean both things: healing an existing disease, or preventing a future one.
Rashi himself asks your question. He brings the midrash, which reads the passuk as "I will put ...
- 3,835
4
votes
Accepted
Can one repeatedly say a prayer for a chronically sick person in Shmonei Esrei?
I was taught in yeshiva (Kerem B'Yavne) a number of years ago to say the yehi ratzon in only two of the three daily prayers, to avoid the issue raised by the Aruch HaShulchan cited in the question. ...
- 41.8k
4
votes
Accepted
Lethal experiments on terminally ill patients
Judaism values life very highly. Any experiment that would potentially shorten life without a chance to extend it would be prohibited. It is not clear from your question whether the experiment would ...
- 48.2k
4
votes
Accepted
Is it considered 'bikur cholim' to call someone who's sick?
Nishmat Avraham vol. 2 p. 262 answers your question
- 48.2k
4
votes
Articles on Care of terminally ill patients according to Halacha
There is plenty of material available online, e.g.,
this summary on Jewish Perspectives on End-of-Life Care from MyJewishLearning
Treatment of Terminally Ill Patients According to Jewish Law by Dov ...
- 48.2k
4
votes
Set Time and Place to End Every Illness?
Avodah Zara 55A;
אף כך יסורין בשעה שמשגרין אותן על האדם משביעין אותן שלא תלכו אלא ביום פלוני ולא תצאו אלא ביום פלוני ובשעה פלונית ועל ידי פלוני ועל ידי סם פלוני כיון שהגיע זמנן לצאת הלך זה לבית עבודת ...
- 10.6k
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