TERRY SCHIAVO STORY
This is a summary of web links regarding Jewish Medical Ethics in response to questions raised by the Terry Schiavo story.
We realize that this subject is a sensitive one, and hope that by providing you with a range of resources you will explore the various perspectives.
QUESTIONS:
1. What do Jewish sources say about end-of-life issues?
2. Are there differences between and/or among Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist thinkers?
3. Does knowing what Jewish sources say help me make decisions about my own life and the lives of those I care about?
If you read the newspapers, listen to the radio or watch television you are familiar with the outline of the Terry Schiavo story. At its most basic, the situation appears to be that Terry was, according to the majority of doctors who had examined her, in a persistent vegetative state, with no consciousness or awareness. Her husband maintained that she had expressed to him the wish not to be kept alive in such circumstances. Her parents, on the other hand, believed that she was aware and conscious on some level, and wished to continue feeding her through a tube which had been surgically implanted years ago.
The situation was certainly tragic. Decisions about end-of-life care and treatment, or lack of it, are emotionally charged under the best of situations. People have differing views about what is or is not the right thing to do. Even when the patient has made clear his or her wishes in advance, there are often pressures on caregivers and guardians to make decisions that have profound consequences.
The following listing gives a number of Jewish perspectives on end-of-life issues that are suggested as a part of discussion of this case.
This first link comes from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and presents the views of Conservative Judaism on biomedical ethics and death.
USCJ on Biomedical Ethics and Death
The link below is to www.jewish.com, a wonderful site with information from various streams of Jewish thought. The article summarizes Orthodox, Reform and Conservative views on what is and is not permissible at the extreme end of life.
Jewish views on end of life
www.VirtualJerusalem.com is another useful Jewish site. This article contains direct quotations from British Orthodox Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits, Orthodox Rabbi J. David Bleich, Professor of Law Daniel B. Sinclair, Conservative Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, Reform Rabbi Peter Knobel, British Progressive Rabbi Danny Rich-
Judaism Now
This fascinating article, by Yaakov Neeman and Eliot Sacks, examines the approach of Israeli courts to end of life issues. It refers extensively to Jewish sources, and makes interesting comparisons between the legal systems of --Israel--- and the --United States---. In particular, sections 16 x 20 describe Jewish law relative to active and passive euthanasia, as well as the guidelines for stopping life support. One conclusion drawn by the author seems to be that the modern emphasis on individual autonomy presents a serious challenge to traditional Jewish thought.
Jewish Virtual Library
This responsum to the question of quality of life and euthanasia seems to address at least some of the issues of the Terry Schiavo case.
Central Conference of Reform Rabbis
The following link is to a Jewish doctorxs response to the story of Rabbi Judah HaNassi and his dying. This story is often used to study the Jewish attitude toward one who is a xgossessx, whose death is quite near.
National Center for Jewish Healing
In this article you can read the opinions of Rabbi David Teutsch, director of the Center for Jewish Ethics at the --Reconstructionist--- -Rabbinical-- -College--- who delineates some of the different views within the Jewish community. The article also quotes authorities within Orthodox, Conservative and Reform circles.
The Jewish Week
Finally, Beliefnet offers both secular and religious perspectives on living wills, advanced health care directives, and the like. If you are interested in comparing Jewish views with those of other faith communities, you can do it at this site. The Jewish sites include two that express Orthodox views, and a third which is sponsored by a --Florida--- nursing home.
Beliefnet
A big thank you to Betty Ann Ross, Coordinator of Educational Resources of the Board of Jewish Education, Nassau/Queens Center, who provided summaries and assembled most of the web links regarding Jewish Medical Ethics in response to questions raised by the Terry Schiavo story.
