Difference between revisions of "Studying Science in Noahide Law"
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==Rabbi Yoel Schwartz (Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noah)== | ==Rabbi Yoel Schwartz (Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noah)== | ||
[[Image:BDBN.gif|right]] | [[Image:BDBN.gif|right]] | ||
There is value in studying science, especially since this enables a person to recognize the greatness of G-d and to better the creation for the benefit of society. All this is under the condition that it be done in a proper manner and not by unbelievers who want to liberate themselves or take over the world from G-d, which was the first sin made by a man. | There is value in studying science, especially since this enables a person to recognize the greatness of G-d and to better the creation for the benefit of society. All this is under the condition that it be done in a proper manner and not by unbelievers who want to liberate themselves or take over the world from G-d, which was the first sin made by a man. | ||
| − | 1. Healing with the aid of Doctors and Medicines | + | 1. Healing with the aid of Doctors and Medicines |
| + | * As it is stated in Exodus that a doctor should heal, our sages learned that a person who can heal his fellow human being should do so, that a sick person must go to a doctor to be healed. The important point here is that he should not rely on doctors alone, but in G-d who is the true doctor. The person should make an effort to get well. | ||
| − | 2. Transplanting of Organs | + | 2. Transplanting of Organs |
| + | * This is allowed to save the life of a person as long as the life of another person is not shortened so as to withdraw organs from him. | ||
| − | 3. Unnecessary Dangers | + | 3. Unnecessary Dangers |
| + | * A person should be careful about medical treatment and medicines so as not to fall into unnecessary dangers like a dangerous plastic surgery that can have serious effects on the health of a person. If the dangerous surgery or treatment is being carried out to try to save the person’s life, then it is allowed. | ||
| − | 4. The Purposes of Medical Treatments | + | 4. The Purposes of Medical Treatments |
| + | * The main purpose is to increase the life span of a person and to prevent suffering, to increase fertility, but not to increase the pleasure of a person. It is prohibited to cause abortion without the medical reason of saving the life of the pregnant woman. (As it is not certain that a Noahide is permitted to perform an abortion even in such a situation, one should try to find a Jewish doctor to do it.) | ||
| + | * A doctor is not allowed to stop the suffering of his patient by shortening his life. | ||
| − | 5. Medical Experiments | + | 5. Medical Experiments |
| + | * If such experiments endanger the life of the patient, but there is a chance that it can save his life, it is allowed. However, there is a need for the approval of the patient. It is not enough to request the permission of the family. It is also may be allowed if the experiment might help a terminal patient who otherwise will die. A rabbi who is an expert in Jewish law should be consulted before doing such a thing. | ||
| + | * If the experiment cannot endanger the patient, it is worthwhile to receive the patient’s approval because there might be some side effects, or it might endanger him later.<ref>[http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-1806/seven-noahide-laws/ Noahide Commandments by Rabbi Yoel Schwartz, Translated by Yitzhak A. Oked Sechter, Reviewed and corrected by Yechiel Sitzman in consultation with Rabbi Yoel Schwartz]</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Legal Rulings]] | [[Category:Legal Rulings]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noah]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:08, 18 May 2007
Rabbi Yoel Schwartz (Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noah)
There is value in studying science, especially since this enables a person to recognize the greatness of G-d and to better the creation for the benefit of society. All this is under the condition that it be done in a proper manner and not by unbelievers who want to liberate themselves or take over the world from G-d, which was the first sin made by a man.
1. Healing with the aid of Doctors and Medicines
- As it is stated in Exodus that a doctor should heal, our sages learned that a person who can heal his fellow human being should do so, that a sick person must go to a doctor to be healed. The important point here is that he should not rely on doctors alone, but in G-d who is the true doctor. The person should make an effort to get well.
2. Transplanting of Organs
- This is allowed to save the life of a person as long as the life of another person is not shortened so as to withdraw organs from him.
3. Unnecessary Dangers
- A person should be careful about medical treatment and medicines so as not to fall into unnecessary dangers like a dangerous plastic surgery that can have serious effects on the health of a person. If the dangerous surgery or treatment is being carried out to try to save the person’s life, then it is allowed.
4. The Purposes of Medical Treatments
- The main purpose is to increase the life span of a person and to prevent suffering, to increase fertility, but not to increase the pleasure of a person. It is prohibited to cause abortion without the medical reason of saving the life of the pregnant woman. (As it is not certain that a Noahide is permitted to perform an abortion even in such a situation, one should try to find a Jewish doctor to do it.)
- A doctor is not allowed to stop the suffering of his patient by shortening his life.
5. Medical Experiments
- If such experiments endanger the life of the patient, but there is a chance that it can save his life, it is allowed. However, there is a need for the approval of the patient. It is not enough to request the permission of the family. It is also may be allowed if the experiment might help a terminal patient who otherwise will die. A rabbi who is an expert in Jewish law should be consulted before doing such a thing.
- If the experiment cannot endanger the patient, it is worthwhile to receive the patient’s approval because there might be some side effects, or it might endanger him later.[1]
