Organs

A prominent halakhist wrote:

“Human life is not a good to be preserved as a condition of other’s values but as an absolute, basic and precious good in its own right. The obligation to preserve life is commensurately all-encompassing.”

So much discussion in our time is given to how much we need to devote ourselves to the quality of life and surrounding issues. As we edge closer to a fuller and better understanding of human physiology we begin to wrestle with the deepest issues of the value of life.

As indicated by the above quote, which is in consonance with the Conservative Jewish understanding of law, a person’s life is about the most important factor to be considered in any ethical dilemma. In fact, the Torah dictum, “do not stand idly by as your neighbor’s blood is being shed,” an is imperative to take action when someone is in danger.  Rashi interprets this phrase to mean that we must use every available resource to ensure that our “neighbor’s blood” is not shed. We are exhorted to preserve life.

An example of this kind of compassion extends to the laws of Yom Kippur.   A critically ill person must not fast on the Day of Awe. Similarly, a sick child’s brit milah (ritual circumcision) is postponed from the eighth day.  To do otherwise is to violate a commandment cited in the name of God!

The Rabbis extended the idea of preserving life to encompass the enhancement of life. For example, it is deemed critical to preserve a person’s eyesight. To stand by as a person’s vision atrophies is be tantamount to watching them lose their life’s blood.

The question of saving or enhancing a life has been one, which has vexed the Jewish community for some time.  Swirling around us has been the idea that organs donated can be used for experimental purposes. This is clearly against Jewish law. For this reason, I continue to be reluctant to endorse the donation of organs.

Yet the Conservative Movement has designed a legal document that affords us the possibility of organ donation to be only used in the instance where it can save or enhance someone’s life.  I urge you to obtain a copy.