GEDOLIM LETTERS
on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 1
Introduction
is publication has been prepared on behalf of the talmidim of Moreinu Harav Shmuel Kamenetzky, shlit”a, Moreinu Harav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, shlit”a, and Moreinu Harav Malkiel Kotler, shlit”a.
In this chapter, when mention is made of “our Gedolim,” the reference is to these three of our leading American Gedolim.
Our Gedolim have made their views on vaccination known to their talmidim and to their petitioners. eir view is not extreme. ey do not advocate against vaccination. ey rule that vaccination is a parental choice, and that parents may not be coerced into vaccination. Perhaps most importantly, they state that parents who choose not to vaccinate should be viewed as parents exercising a right and making a justi able decision, not as agitators recklessly endangering the public welfare.
is publication refutes the assertions—which have been recently circulated widely—that all Gedolim obligate parents to vaccinate, and that non-vaccinating parents are rotzchim and rod m.
Non-vaccinating parents in our communities are acting with the full consent of da’as Torah, yet they are being maligned and vili ed, and, in countless cases, victimized and hurt. e achdus and shalom within our communities and families is being gravely damaged; the above unfounded and untrue assertions have had much to do with it. Part 1: “We the Undersigned…” and the Chicago Letter
Measles! e Original Lakewood Psak
In years past, most states—including New York and In 2008, a Lakewood beis din was convened to hand New Jersey—granted parents the legal right to opt out down a ruling. e date of this psak can be identi ed of mandatory vaccination for their school aged as the beginning of the Orthodox Jewish community’s children by submitting a religious exemption letter to vaccination controversy. their schools. Jewish schools accepted these letters in lieu of immunization records. is satis ed govern- A Lakewood menahel was in a quandary. He had ment agencies, such as local health and education several unvaccinated students in one of his schools departments, and the small minority of unvaccinated and was not inclined to remove them, but found students remained unobtrusive. himself facing increasing pressure to do so. He brought the question to a Lakewood beis din com- at was once upon a time—a far cry from today’s prised of: reality where many Jewish communities have been terribly challenged by the issue of vaccination. • Harav Yisroel Reisman, shlita, e vaccination controversy burst onto the stage of • Harav Aharon Sorscher, shlita, the Jewish public’s notice in the fall of 2018 when the • Harav Shmuel Fuerst, shlita. measles hit Monsey, Brooklyn, Lakewood, Passaic, and other Orthodox population centers. Legislation in New York State removed parents’ right to claim a religious exemption. New York schools were forced to identify and expel unvaccinated students. Many New Jersey schools began to do so voluntarily.
at year was a trying one. What was once a personal and con dential parental choice had now become a matter of public knowledge and concern. Vaccine induced con icts were commonplace between parents who followed conventional vaccination protocol for their children and between parents who chose not to. Schools, shuls, families and communities su ered from marred shalom, from discord and friction.
In reality, the storm has been simmering for many years. It was over fteen years ago when community physicians in Jewish towns, speci cally, Lakewood, NJ, began petitioning chadorim to insist that unvacci- nated students be barred from attending school—even while local health authorities made no such demand. e right to parental vaccination choice was under attack, and vaccination was on its way to becoming the divisive issue that it is today.
2 • Gedolim LettersGedolim on Vaccination, Letters on Parental Vaccination, Rights Parental and Religious Rights Freedom and Religious Freedom • 1 It is naïve to believe that the human immune system We the Undersigned... and the science of vaccinology are anything but complex. And, when it comes to vaccines, it is untrue e third clause is quite clear— schools are not that there is universal agreement among doctors and obligated to bar unvaccinated children; to the scientists with regard to many of the scienti c conclu- contrary, the beis din recommended that schools sions that are popularly believed to be true. Fortu- respect the rights of parents who choose not to vacci- nately, there is universal agreement on certain rudi- nate their children (based on medical or rabbinic ments: guidance). But the fourth clause left the matter somewhat open by stating that a school is not required When a vaccine is injected into a child, it stimulates to jeopardize its viability by accepting such students. an immune response, and the body creates antibodies. us, the matter was not laid entirely to rest. Then, if the virus invades the child’s body, the antibodies will neutralize the virus, and the child will Subsequent to the above din Torah, a letter was drafted not become sick. Vaccines do not “clear out” illnesses that was rm in its position that unvaccinated and infections, nor do they make children healthier. children should be barred from school attendance. eir sole function is to create an arti cial immunity e letter began with the words, “We the undersigned that will protect the child from becoming sick in the Rabbonim…” event that he is indeed exposed to certain viruses.
e letter stated several points: Unvaccinated children do not spread disease; infec- tious children do. An unvaccinated child can only be • A parent’s choice not to immunize his children is infectious if he or she had a direct exposure to a virus, medically unjusti able. and if that virus is currently incubating within his or • Herd immunity is compromised by the presence of her body. To carelessly classify unvaccinated children unvaccinated children in a community, thus, as sick and infectious bespeaks an ignorance of the community-wide vaccination is a communal rudimentary science behind vaccination. Unfortu- responsibility and obligation. nately, the term “unvaccinated” has been unjusti ably • Communal leaders must insist on community-wide used in the sense of “infectious,” leading not only to vaccination. confusion, but to fear and discord as well. • School principals and those who operate child-care facilities have the “moral responsibility” to exclude “medically eligible, unimmunized children.” Criticism of the Letter
One more point was stated: A draft of “We the undersigned…” was shown to Harav Shlomo Miller, shlita, and to Harav Shmuel • “Children who are not immunized are potential Kamenetsky, shlita. reservoirs of the very organisms that they were not immunized against—they are potential Harav Miller wrote on the bottom of the letter: rod m because they may expose others to grave risk…” “What is written in the above letter is not in accor- dance with da’as Torah.” A Scienti c Note Rav Miller confided to a talmid that one of his primary objections to the letter was the assertion that is publication is focused on providing the historical non-vaccinating parents can be classi ed as rod m. narrative of the Rabbinic correspondence that we will Rav Shmuel as well appended the following note be presenting. Nevertheless, it is necessary to explain —signed jointly by Rav Shmuel and Rav Miller: scienti cally why it is misleading to classify healthy unvaccinated children as “potential reservoirs of We, the undersigned, are of the opinion that since it is disease.” universally recognized that vaccines can cause severe adverse reactions and deaths, halachically, no one can
GedolimGedolim Letters onLetters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights Rights and Religious and Religious Freedom Freedom • 2 • 3 be forced to vaccinate his children, and every parent should accept unvaccinated children without discrimi- retains the right whether to vaccinate or not vaccinate nation. his children. Within the limits of the law, schools
4 • Gedolim LettersGedolim on Vaccination, Letters on Parental Vaccination, Rights andParental Religious Rights Freedom and Religious Freedom • 3 be forced to vaccinate his children, and every parent should accept unvaccinated children without discrimi- retains the right whether to vaccinate or not vaccinate nation. Reviving the Letter his children. Within the limits of the law, schools Undeterred by Rav Miller’s and Rav Shmuel’s rejection of the letter, the drafters garnered seven signatures for “We the Undersigned…”. e letter was publicized, in slightly revised form, in August of 2009. e follow- ing signatures—poskim chashuvim and gedolei haRabbonim of our generation—appear on the letter:
• Harav Yisroel Belsky • Harav Gavriel Finkel • Harav Moshe Rabinowitz • Harav Yaakov Forchheimer • Harav Simchah Bunim Cohen • Harav Shlomo Gissinger • Harav Shmuel Fuerst
(Note that Harav Fuerst’s position in this letter is a reversal of his original psak beis din presented above.)
Fast Forward
Our narrative now skips ahead ten years.
As noted, in the wake of the measles outbreak of 2018-2019, the letter “We the undersigned…” was re-publicized. Did the signatories still stand by that severe statement in 2019? e reappearance of the letter came at a time when many Jewish communities Since the date of the letter, three of the Rabbonim had passed away: Harav were su ering from vaccine con icts in Yisroel Belsky, zatzal, Harav Gavriel Finkel, zatzal, and Harav Moshe their schools and shuls. e communal Rabinowitz, zatzal. shalom of these communities was being stretched thin. While researching the history of the letter, Rabbi Zev Epstein, of Fallsburg, New York, spoke with one of the parents who was involved in the initial Several rabbonim were greatly disturbed din Torah in 2008. When “We the Undersigned…” was first publicized, to see the “rodef clause” in the “We the this parent approached several of the signatories to apprise them of what undersigned…” letter, signed by had occurred at the din Torah, and to give them the information that was Rabbonim chashuvim. Since the vaccine presented to the beis din regarding vaccination. e parent reports: controversy had begun, they were alarmed at the deteriorating levels of • Harav Gavriel Finkel, zatzal, stated that given the information that he peace and respect between vaccinating had just heard, he could not stand unequivocally by the statements in and non-vaccinating parents in commu- the letter. nities nationwide. With charges of rodef and rotze’ach in the air, the goal of • Harav Simchah Bunim Cohen, shlita, told the parent that he would shalom was moving out of reach. retract his endorsement.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 3 GedolimGedolim Letters Letterson Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights Rights and Religiousand Religious Freedom Freedom • 4 • 5 A decade later, Rabbi Epstein contacted the living signatories of the letter to ask them if they stood by the “rodef clause.”
• In answer to the question as to whether or not an unvaccinated child is a rodef, Harav Simchah Bunim Cohen, shlita, stated that since his meeting with that parent ten years earlier, he had carefully avoided involving himself in the vaccination con ict. He stated that he has no firsthand knowledge of the subject of vaccination, and reiterated his rm resolve to maintain a position of non-involvement.
• Harav Shlomo Gissinger, zatzal, (who has since passed away as well) was also asked whether or not, in his opinion, an unvaccinated child can be classi ed as a rodef. Rav Gissinger was firm in his response—it is untrue to state that an unvacci- nated child is a rodef. e Rav encouraged Rabbi Epstein to continue his e orts at achieving shalom within our communities, and expressed his hope that vaccinating and non-vaccinating parents would be able to arrive at a reasonable peshoroh.
• Harav Forchheimer did not remem- ber the contents of the letter, and stated that he was not aware that the letter was being republicized. “Furthermore, during a time of a measles outbreak, expos- ing others to an unvaccinated individual is equivalent to Not one of these Rabbonim stood by the letter. an act of rodef.” Rabbi Epstein contacted Rav Fuerst to discuss the Chicago Chicago, Illinois letter. Rav Fuerst reiterated the halachic position that was set forth One nal signatory of “We the undersigned…” in the letter—all parents are obligated to vaccinate their was Harav Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan of Agudas children, and that schools and shuls should exclude unvacci- Yisroel, in Chicago, Illinois. nated children. Rabbi Epstein stated that he was not ques-
The points made in that letter were reiterated in a tioning the Rav’s psak, but was troubled by the statement more recent letter, dated November 18, 2018, equating non-vaccinating individuals with rod m. e hala- addressed to the Chicago Jewish community, and chos of a rodef are quite severe. Are non-vaccinating parents signed by Rav Fuerst and Rav Yonah Reiss, Av Beis nitan lehatzilom benafshom? What halachic rami cations are Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council. there to “an act of rodef?” And if the parent of a willfully unvaccinated child is a rodef, so is the parent of an unvacci- e Chicago letter also contained a “rodef clause:” nated, immunocompromised child. (In a case where a fetus is
6 • Gedolim LettersGedolim on Vaccination, Letters on Parental Vaccination, Rights andParental Religious Rights Freedom and Religious Freedom • 5 A decade later, Rabbi Epstein contacted endangering the mother, the pregnancy can be termi- halachah—but this does implicate consid- the living signatories of the letter to ask nated because the fetus has the halachic status of a erations of rodef, that one is not supposed them if they stood by the “rodef clause.” rodef, regardless of the fact that the fetus is completely to run after somebody else to kill them, innocent and helpless.) Are immunocompromised and you’re not supposed to put yourself in • In answer to the question as to children also to be excluded from shuls and schools? a situation where you are going to bring whether or not an unvaccinated child harm or danger to another person’s life. is a rodef, Harav Simchah Bunim Rav Fuerst was asked: Did you mean to say that at is considered to be a form of rodef. Cohen, shlita, stated that since his non-vaccinating parents are rod m in a halachic sense? And we have to ensure that we not place meeting with that parent ten years individuals in mortal danger by having earlier, he had carefully avoided Harav Fuerst’s responded in the negative; he never unvaccinated children in our schools. involving himself in the vaccination meant to say that these parents are rod m in the con ict. He stated that he has no halachic sense. e letter, rather, was meant to convey firsthand knowledge of the subject of In conversation, Rav Reiss noted another mareh vaccination, and reiterated his rm a simple, but vital message to his community: every- makom. In the tenth perek of Bava Kama we nd a resolve to maintain a position of one must vaccinate. As for the letter’s exact wording, discussion of the laws of a rodef. e Rosh there” non-involvement. he was not the one who drafted it. explains why a moser who gives over a fellow Jew’s money to non-Jewish rogues can be killed. Although • Harav Shlomo Gissinger, zatzal, the rogues are out for money, there is a chance that (who has since passed away as well) Din Rodef they will come to murder the Jew in the process. e was also asked whether or not, in his moser, then, has the din of a rodef. e Rosh expands opinion, an unvaccinated child can e drafter of the letter was the other signatory, Rav the de nition of rodef to someone who creates a be classi ed as a rodef. Rav Gissinger Yonah Reiss, who was also contacted. Rav Reiss dangerous situation for another Jew. was firm in his response—it is referred Rabbi Epstein to a public shiur that he untrue to state that an unvacci- delivered (“Vaccination— Psak and Practice;” retriev- e above was part of the halachic basis for the nated child is a rodef. e Rav able at YUTorah.org) where he gave his halachic Chicago letter’s rulings. Since the unvaccinated are encouraged Rabbi Epstein to reasoning for this line of the letter: creating an environment that can lead to danger, this continue his e orts at achieving “implicates considerations of rodef.” Rav Reiss seems shalom within our communities, and to grant non-vaccinating parents a din of “quasi- expressed his hope that vaccinating You also have to take into account that rodef.” e community can take appropriate action and non-vaccinating parents would this is not only a personal decision but it’s against them, but cannot actually kill them, as Rav be able to arrive at a reasonable a makom she’chav le’achrini, it is a situa- Reiss was quick to point out: peshoroh. “ tion where the inaction on one person’s part could cause tremendous damage to • Harav Forchheimer did not remem- others and you have no right to put other I’m not saying go out and kill anybody ber the contents of the letter, and people in the face of danger, which is why chas ve’sholom— I’m not saying that; I just stated that he was not aware that the want to be 100% clear. But I am saying letter was being republicized. “Furthermore, during a time of a measles outbreak, expos- it is appropriate for the schools and the ing others to an unvaccinated individual is equivalent to shuls and the day care and play groups “ [to do what’s] appropriate. at’s what and all of these di erent places to exclude rodef means— you take appropriate Not one of these Rabbonim stood by the letter. an act of rodef.” children who are not vaccinated, particu- precautions in order to keep people out of Rabbi Epstein contacted Rav Fuerst to discuss the Chicago larly when there is a real raging epidemic harm’s way. Chicago, Illinois letter. which is out there. Obviously, Rav Reiss did not mean to invoke his din Rav Fuerst reiterated the halachic position that was set forth is implicates halachic concerns that we of quasi-rodef in order to incite vaccinating parents’ One nal signatory of “We the undersigned…” in the letter—all parents are obligated to vaccinate their was Harav Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan of Agudas all know about—of lo sa’amod al dam wrath against their” non-vaccinating neighbors. children, and that schools and shuls should exclude unvacci- rei’echa, that you are not supposed to Yisroel, in Chicago, Illinois. nated children. Rabbi Epstein stated that he was not ques- stand idly by your brother’s blood. You Unfortunately, it happened anyway. It is hard to say The points made in that letter were reiterated in a tioning the Rav’s psak, but was troubled by the statement have to take action in order to save when accusations of rodef began to be heard in our more recent letter, dated November 18, 2018, equating non-vaccinating individuals with rod m. e hala- people’s lives, and certainly to prevent communities, but the Chicago letter carried the addressed to the Chicago Jewish community, and chos of a rodef are quite severe. Are non-vaccinating parents them from becoming injured or sick in notion far a eld and contributed to the promulgation signed by Rav Fuerst and Rav Yonah Reiss, Av Beis nitan lehatzilom benafshom? What halachic rami cations are the rst place. And it’s a real din, it’s a of this damaging slur and the pro ling of non- Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council. there to “an act of rodef?” And if the parent of a willfully halachah—one has to be careful about vaccinating parents as reckless and dangerous people, unvaccinated child is a rodef, so is the parent of an unvacci- applying the parameters of the and their unvaccinated children as disease-ridden e Chicago letter also contained a “rodef clause:” nated, immunocompromised child. (In a case where a fetus is hazards.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 5 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights Rights and andReligious Religious Freedom Freedom • 6• 7 Part 2: Rod m and Rotzchim
Disturbing News One such post reads as follows: e truth is that anti-vaxxers are a din rodef Non-vaccinating parents report that they are and it would be a mitzvah to kill them all routinely assaulted with the slur of rodef and were it not for the fact that secular law makes rotzei’ach. “ it illegal. ey are that much of a danger. Rodef Shalom (rodefshalom613.org) is a It is hard to tell how widespread this sentiment is, but website devoted to “increasing awareness in even one such comment is cause for deep concern. order to increase shalom.” Posted there is a ” testimonial (entitled “No Words”) from a young mother who moved out of her “out- of-town” community entirely due to the treatment that she, her husband, and her children received as a result of their decision not to vaccinate.
ings took a turn for the worse when my husband received shocking news from his Rosh “ Kollel. e Rosh Kollel had received phone calls from mem- bers of the community request- ing that my husband be expelled from the kollel because he is a “rodef”... We were also banned from shuls and mikvaos…
A “turn for the worse” is an apt term to describe how the rule banning the ”unvacci- nated from shuls was expanded to include mikva’os. What happened to the mother in the above testimonial is not an isolated incident of mikva’os—men’s and women’s-- barring the unvaccinated.
Rodef Shalom shares some further disturbing reports of posts on social media sites where religious Jews are uninhibited about express- ing the idea that non-vaccinating parents may—or even ought to be—killed.
8 • Gedolim LettersGedolim on Vaccination, Letters on Parental Vaccination, Rights andParental Religious Rights Freedom and Religious Freedom • 7 Amir and Rabin Part 2: Rod m and Rotzchim defamation and hatred against religious people.” Does a din rodef indeed apply to someone who He condemned confessed assassin Yigal Amir’s “creates a dangerous situation for others?” Is this claim that God instructed him to kill Rabin, considered halachah lemayseh? and said the classi cation by some religious authorities in Israel of Rabin as a “rodef,” or Many will remember that fateful day in 1995 when pursuer, was wrong. One such post reads as follows: Yigal Amir gunned down Yitzchak Rabin. Jewish law permits a Jew to kill another person Disturbing News only if his life is being directly threatened by e truth is that anti-vaxxers are a din rodef From the New York Times, Nov. 27, 1995: such a person, a “rodef,” he said. Non-vaccinating parents report that they are and it would be a mitzvah to kill them all routinely assaulted with the slur of rodef and were it not for the fact that secular law makes “How can serious people, among them talmidei rotzei’ach. it illegal. ey are that much of a danger. chachamim entertain such ideas?” said [Rav] “ For the rst time since the assassination of Perlow. Rodef Shalom (rodefshalom613.org) is a Yitzhak Rabin three weeks ago, the police It is hard to tell how widespread this sentiment is, but website devoted to “increasing awareness in interrogated two rabbis today on the suspicion “ e moral foundations of our family have been even one such comment is cause for deep concern. that they had issued religious rulings condemn- order to increase shalom.” Posted there is a shaken” by the assassination, he said. “ ere are ” ing the Prime Minister to death. times when inner peace is missing, when the testimonial (entitled “No Words”) from a e questioning followed reports that the very pillars of our holy community are shaken young mother who moved out of her “out- confessed killer, Yigal Amir, might have acted and under attack. I, for one, have no inner peace of-town” community entirely due to the after receiving a rabbinic sanction. Mr. Amir, an these days,” [Rav] Perlow told the Agudah treatment that she, her husband, and her Orthodox Jewish student, has asserted that he constituents. (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) children received as a result of their decision followed religious law in shooting Mr. Rabin on not to vaccinate. Nov. 4, but insists that he acted on his own. Like other militant Orthodox opponents of the Government, Mr. Amir called Mr. Rabin a e Novominsker Rebbe’s position is clear– a rodef is ings took a turn for the worse "pursuer," a term taken from Jewish law to only someone who is directly in icting fatal harm. when my husband received describe an assailant who can be killed if he One cannot apply the din of rodef to politicians who shocking news from his Rosh poses a mortal threat. By agreeing to hand over place others in dangerous circumstances. Likewise, it “ Kollel. e Rosh Kollel had much of the West Bank to Palestinian rule, Mr. is a far stretch to apply the din of rodef to a population received phone calls from mem- Amir argued, Mr. Rabin was endangering Jewish lives and leading Israel to war. of children who are compromising herd immunity. bers of the community request- Reports that militant rabbis condemned Mr. e article concludes: ing that my husband be expelled Rabin by invoking "the law of the pursuer" led from the kollel because he is a to today's interrogations at police investigation “rodef”... We were also banned headquarters in Petah Tikva. from shuls and mikvaos… [Agudath Israel’s] Council of Torah Sages also published an ad last Friday on the op-ed page of e New York Times condemning Rabin’s A “turn for the worse” is an apt term to Rabin was a secular Israeli politician. But political and killing in unequivocal terms. describe how the rule banning the ”unvacci- religious barriers were lowered in the face of his nated from shuls was expanded to include shocking murder. Moreinu Harav Yaakov Perlow, the e confessed assassin’s “shocking claim that his act was based on halachah (Jewish law)” is mikva’os. What happened to the mother in Novominsker Rebbe, addressed that year’s convention of Agudas Yisroel: “erroneous – indeed a total distortion of funda- the above testimonial is not an isolated mental Jewish values,” he said. incident of mikva’os—men’s and women’s-- barring the unvaccinated. “ e assassination should remind all Jews – no matter what their views on the Middle East In his address, [Rav] Perlow spoke of his pain Rodef Shalom shares some further disturbing peace process or any of the other policies of the over the assassination of Rabin by an Orthodox current Israeli government – that in ammatory reports of posts on social media sites where Jew, terming it a “Chillul HaShem of cosmic religious Jews are uninhibited about express- rhetoric and hateful invective often toxify the proportions, as is the subsequent wave of atmosphere,” the ad said. ing the idea that non-vaccinating parents may—or even ought to be—killed.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 7 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • •8 9 Agudas Yisroel was not alone in their condemnation the need to protect the public health. But here is a of Amir’s contemptible rationale for murdering Rabin; question that is at the center of the vaccination they were joined by all American Rabbonim in all debate not only in our communities, but in many sectors of American Jewry. American state legislatures:
Harav Ahron Soloveitchik was one of them. He How do we know that unvaccinated strongly disagreed with Rabin’s political agenda, but children pose a risk of any kind to was crushed by Rabin’s murder at the hand of a fellow Jew. Beyond condemning the act, Harav Soloveitchik anyone around them—whether directly expressed a fear that a lack of discretion during hala- or indirectly? chic discussions, and even in far-o America, may have had a hand in it: Lawyers and legislators have been highly critical of legislative proceedings that have been ignoring this From the journal, Tradition (vol. 48, no. 4, 2015; question when considering whether or not to remove “Religious Zionism and the Rabin Assassination.”): parents’ ability to claim a religious exemption and to eschew vaccination for their school age children. Religious freedom is an absolute constitutional right—and to remove it we would need absolute e rabbis in Israel and America who had been scienti c proof that there is indeed a compelling most vocal in criticizing Rabin and his policies health threat that we must avert. at proof has reacted in di erent ways. In America, Rabbi Ahron Soloveitchik, who had led a delegation to never been given. meet with Rabin to express opposition, was terribly distressed that his words (and he never What these legislators are saying is, in essence, what mentioned rodef) might have been misconstrued we would call hamotzi meichaveiro alav harayah. to justify the assassination. Others simply denied Members of shuls, and parents in schools, are being any correlatioin between their theoretical asked to leave. But they are muchzakim. ey belong halachic discussions and anyones actions. in the shul or school. To ask them to leave is an act of motzee min hamuchzak. e motzee has to bring proof.
e “settled science” of vaccination that we hear so Ironically, Harav Ahron Soloveitchik, zatzal was a much about is, for the most part, directed at the safety Rosh Yeshivah for over three decades—in Chicago. and e cacy of vaccination. But precious little has been devoted to scienti c discussion of the nature of the threat that the unvaccinated pose. No study Tales out of Shul demonstrating clearly that unvaccinated children pose a health threat to those around them has been e Chicago letter’s ruling that unvaccinated children presented in any of our legislatures ruling on the issue. would be barred from shuls came as a grave shock to non-vaccinating Orthodox parents nationwide. Instead of proof, many people in leadership positions o er a look of incredulity, oftentimes tinged with Excluding any individual Jew from a shul is a severe contempt. “How can you not know that unvacci- and drastic act, reserved for the lowest of rogues. nated children bring in disease? How can you Excluding a collective group of ehrliche members of overlook the fact that there is danger here?” the community is historically unprecedented. ese two ideas generally go unchallenged. But are Shul exclusion is an egregious violation of the they true? excluded family’s communal rights. e great rallying cry under which this violation has been perpetrated is
10 • Gedolim LettersGedolim on Vaccination, Letters on Vaccination,Parental Rights Parental and Religious Rights Freedom and Religious Freedom • 9 Agudas Yisroel was not alone in their condemnation the need to protect the public health. But here is a Another doctor quoted in the letter is Dr. Meryl of Amir’s contemptible rationale for murdering Rabin; question that is at the center of the vaccination Letters to the Senators Nass, MD: they were joined by all American Rabbonim in all debate not only in our communities, but in many In December of 2019, the state of New Jersey, follow- sectors of American Jewry. American state legislatures: ing New York and several other states, considered a Dr. Meryl Nass, MD graduated from MIT and bill to do away with the religious exemption to man- the University of Mississippi School of Medicine Harav Ahron Soloveitchik was one of them. He How do we know that unvaccinated datory vaccination for schoolchildren. Rabbi Epstein strongly disagreed with Rabin’s political agenda, but and is a licensed physician in Ellsworth, Maine. children pose a risk of any kind to wrote a letter to the legislators, excerpted below. He Dr. Nass has testi ed numerous times before was crushed by Rabin’s murder at the hand of a fellow anyone around them—whether directly quotes scientists and doctors who have weighed in on Congressional Committees, primarily regarding Jew. Beyond condemning the act, Harav Soloveitchik these two ideas. vaccines and vaccine injury in the military. In expressed a fear that a lack of discretion during hala- or indirectly? March of 2019, she testi ed in opposition to chic discussions, and even in far-o America, may One scientist is Dr. Tetyana Obukhanych, PhD. Maine’s bill to rescind religious exemptions to have had a hand in it: Lawyers and legislators have been highly critical of vaccination for schoolchildren. legislative proceedings that have been ignoring this Dr. Nass recently wrote a letter to her medical From the journal, Tradition (vol. 48, no. 4, 2015; question when considering whether or not to remove Dr. Tetyana Obukhanych earned her Ph.D. in parents’ ability to claim a religious exemption and to colleagues, printed in the British Medical “Religious Zionism and the Rabin Assassination.”): Immunology at the Rockefeller University, New Journal (BMJ 2019; 364:l312.) In it she writes: eschew vaccination for their school age children. York, NY, and did postdoctoral research in Religious freedom is an absolute constitutional laboratories a liated with Harvard Medical School and Stanford University School of right—and to remove it we would need absolute ere is no evidence that in recent years e rabbis in Israel and America who had been Medicine. In 2015, Dr. Obukhanych wrote a scienti c proof that there is indeed a compelling letter to the California State Legislature oppos- unvaccinated US children have caused a most vocal in criticizing Rabin and his policies health threat that we must avert. at proof has reacted in di erent ways. In America, Rabbi ing a bill that would rescind school exemptions single death from measles, mumps and never been given. Ahron Soloveitchik, who had led a delegation to for vaccination . She begins: “ rubella. Yet how many column inches, meet with Rabin to express opposition, was how many hours of TV news have been terribly distressed that his words (and he never What these legislators are saying is, in essence, what “It is often stated that those who choose not to devoted to scaring the American public mentioned rodef) might have been misconstrued we would call hamotzi meichaveiro alav harayah. vaccinate their children for reasons of conscience about the dire threat of measles? Fear of to justify the assassination. Others simply denied endanger the rest of the public, and this is the Members of shuls, and parents in schools, are being rationale behind most of the legislation to end measles has been the major driver of the any correlatioin between their theoretical asked to leave. But they are muchzakim. ey belong campaigns to eliminate vaccine exemp- halachic discussions and anyones actions. vaccine exemptions currently being considered in the shul or school. To ask them to leave is an act of by federal and state legislators country-wide. tions. Parents of immunocompromised motzee min hamuchzak. e motzee has to bring proof. You should be aware that the nature of protec- children have been incited to frenzy tion a orded by many modern vaccines – and about the risks posed to their children by e “settled science” of vaccination that we hear so that includes most of the vaccines recommended unvaccinated classmates. Yet, when you Ironically, Harav Ahron Soloveitchik, zatzal was a by the CDC for children – is not consistent look closely, the risk is marginal to none. much about is, for the most part, directed at the safety with such a statement.” Rosh Yeshivah for over three decades—in Chicago. and e cacy of vaccination. But precious little has been devoted to scienti c discussion of the nature of Dr. Obukhanych goes through the standard the threat that the unvaccinated pose. No study childhood vaccine schedule for school atten- I spoke with Dr. Nass. I asked her to explain to Tales out of Shul dance and observes that most of the diseases that ” demonstrating clearly that unvaccinated children pose me how she can say that unvaccinated children a health threat to those around them has been we vaccinate children for are either not infec- are not dangerous during an outbreak—when tious, are not communicable in a school setting, e Chicago letter’s ruling that unvaccinated children presented in any of our legislatures ruling on the issue. “everybody” is saying the opposite. would be barred from shuls came as a grave shock to or the vaccine for these diseases protects the child from becoming sick, but does not prevent non-vaccinating Orthodox parents nationwide. Instead of proof, many people in leadership positions Dr. Nass was patient and scienti c. She the child from becoming infectious and spread- explained: If the unvaccinated child has had o er a look of incredulity, oftentimes tinged with ing the virus. Excluding any individual Jew from a shul is a severe no exposure, the unvaccinated child cannot contempt. “How can you not know that unvacci- be infectious. and drastic act, reserved for the lowest of rogues. us, her reasoning was simple: nated children bring in disease? How can you Dr. Obukhanych concludes: In the event of a con rmed case of measles in a Excluding a collective group of ehrliche members of speci c school, protocol is in place mandating overlook the fact that there is danger here?” “Discrimination in a public school setting the community is historically unprecedented. that the school send the unvaccinated children against children who are not vaccinated for home. In addition, in the community at large, ese two ideas generally go unchallenged. But are reasons of conscience is completely unwar- local Departments of Health are trained to track Shul exclusion is an egregious violation of the ranted as the vaccine status of conscientious they true? measles exposures and to alert the community. excluded family’s communal rights. e great rallying objectors poses no undue public health risk.” cry under which this violation has been perpetrated is
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 9 GedolimGedolim Letters Letterson Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights Rights and Religiousand Religious Freedom Freedom • 10 • 11 Jibing With the Government is allows parents of unvaccinated children to monitor their children and limit their interac- Back to Dr Nass: tions if the children had a known exposure. When such protocols are followed properly the chance that an unvaccinated child will become inadvertently exposed without his parents’ Dr. Nass made one nal point to me: Vaccine knowledge is minimal, thus lowering the chance mandates have always been legislated together that the unvaccinated child will be infectious, with vaccine exemptions, such as medical and and will be allowed to infect other children. religious exemptions. us, there have always been a percentage of unvaccinated children at school, yet our State Departments of Health never viewed the unvaccinated as a health One nal scientist cited in the letter is Dr. Chris risk. Shaw: In the absence of a con rmed case of a speci c disease in a speci c school, no Depart- ment of Health in any state ever barred unvacci- Dr. Chris Shaw earned his Ph.D. in Neurobiol- nated children from school—even during an ogy from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and is outbreak. a Professor and the principal investigator on the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British If our State Departments of Health are of the Columbia. (Times Higher Education—a British view that unvaccinated children do not pose a data and analysis source—ranks 1,250 higher health risk, why are our legislators proposing education institutions in 86 countries. In 2019, UBC ranked 37th .) Dr. Shaw’s curriculum vitae bills and pursuing legislation to remove religious lists over 150 published peer-reviewed articles. exemptions based on the fact that unvaccinated He is the author of numerous book chapters and children pose a health risk? special reviews, and has edited four books on neuroscience.
Using current data, Dr. Shaw has developed Dr. Nass asserts that America’s public health authori- schematic computer models that show the ties only mandate school exclusion for unvaccinated mathematical projections of how an infectious persons who have had a known exposure to a disease would spread within populations with varying degree of immunity. Dr. Shaw maintains con rmed infectious disease case. that given the reality of secondary vaccine failure, even if New Jersey were to be successful Her assertion accords with the CDC’s handbook in vaccinating the entirety of its population of entitled “Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine- school-age children, herd immunity cannot be Preventable Diseases (VPD)”, also known as the achieved unless the entire adult population were “VPD Surveillance Manual” (viewable online at to be tested and re-vaccinated as well. cdc.gov). e Manual delineates procedures for identifying, tracking, and isolating con rmed measles I have had many long communications with Dr. Shaw. In our most recent conversation, he cases. e manual then discusses individuals who are informed me that given the reality of secondary called “contacts,” in other words, persons who have vaccine failure, herd immunity is not much had a known contact with a con rmed measles case: more than a theory, as far as measles is concerned. He further noted that it is ridiculous §7.15 to apply the mechanics of herd immunity at all Isolation of cases and exclusion of contacts to the “population” of children in a classroom; without presumptive evidence of immunity herd immunity only begins to function when we consider broader population masses. Case-patients should be isolated for four days post rash onset.
12 • Gedolim LettersGedolim on Vaccination, Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Religious Rights Freedomand Religious Freedom • 11 Jibing With the Government Exposed persons who cannot readily document attended Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Dartmouth, and is allows parents of unvaccinated children to presumptive evidence of immunity should be other highly prestigious universities, and who are o ered postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), or be a liated with America’s nest hospitals, medical monitor their children and limit their interac- Back to Dr Nass: tions if the children had a known exposure. excluded from the setting (school, hospital, centers, and scienti c institutions. e two PhDs and When such protocols are followed properly the daycare). one MD cited above harbor great reservations about chance that an unvaccinated child will become vaccinations. ey are not part of “a handful” of inadvertently exposed without his parents’ Dr. Nass made one nal point to me: Vaccine Persons who have been exempted from measles doctors; they are three out of thousands of doctors knowledge is minimal, thus lowering the chance mandates have always been legislated together vaccination for medical, religious, or other reasons, and scientists. that the unvaccinated child will be infectious, with vaccine exemptions, such as medical and and who do not receive appropriate postexposure and will be allowed to infect other children. religious exemptions. us, there have always prophylaxis within the appropriate time, should be e Association of American Physicians and Surgeons been a percentage of unvaccinated children at excluded from a ected institutions in the outbreak (AAPS) is a professional association of physicians, school, yet our State Departments of Health area until 21 days after the onset of rash in the last established in 1943 and, in their words, “dedicated to never viewed the unvaccinated as a health One nal scientist cited in the letter is Dr. Chris case of measles. the highest ethical standards of the Oath of Hip- risk. Shaw: In the absence of a con rmed case of a pocrates and to preserving the sanctity of the patient- speci c disease in a speci c school, no Depart- An example of an “a ected institution in the outbreak physician relationship and the practice of private ment of Health in any state ever barred unvacci- area” is a school that has an individual within the medicine.” AAPS has several thousand members. Dr. Chris Shaw earned his Ph.D. in Neurobiol- nated children from school—even during an school (a student or a member of the faculty or sta ) ese mainstream doctors voiced concern over ogy from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and is outbreak. who has been identi ed as a con rmed case-patient. vaccines close to twenty years ago. a Professor and the principal investigator on the e school is then said to have had an “exposure” and Faculty of Medicine at the University of British If our State Departments of Health are of the Columbia. (Times Higher Education—a British unvaccinated students are deemed to be potentially is press release is from Nov. 2, 2000: view that unvaccinated children do not pose a infected “contacts.” In the absence data and analysis source—ranks 1,250 higher health risk, why are our legislators proposing education institutions in 86 countries. In 2019, of an actual measles case, no UBC ranked 37th .) Dr. Shaw’s curriculum vitae bills and pursuing legislation to remove religious mandate is in place to send lists over 150 published peer-reviewed articles. exemptions based on the fact that unvaccinated unvaccinated children home for He is the author of numerous book chapters and children pose a health risk? inde nite periods of time. special reviews, and has edited four books on neuroscience. New Jersey State’s Department of Health also o ers a document Using current data, Dr. Shaw has developed Dr. Nass asserts that America’s public health authori- entitled “measles exposure guid- schematic computer models that show the ties only mandate school exclusion for unvaccinated ance” cautioning parents that mathematical projections of how an infectious persons who have had a known exposure to a disease would spread within populations with unvaccinated children who were con rmed infectious disease case. varying degree of immunity. Dr. Shaw maintains exposed to measles may be asked that given the reality of secondary vaccine to stay home from school. Her assertion accords with the CDC’s handbook failure, even if New Jersey were to be successful (https://www.state.nj.us/health/ne entitled “Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine- in vaccinating the entirety of its population of ws/2017/20170127b.shtml) school-age children, herd immunity cannot be Preventable Diseases (VPD)”, also known as the achieved unless the entire adult population were “VPD Surveillance Manual” (viewable online at to be tested and re-vaccinated as well. cdc.gov). e Manual delineates procedures for identifying, tracking, and isolating con rmed measles Just a Few I have had many long communications with Dr. cases. e manual then discusses individuals who are Shaw. In our most recent conversation, he Quacks... informed me that given the reality of secondary called “contacts,” in other words, persons who have vaccine failure, herd immunity is not much had a known contact with a con rmed measles case: It has been repeated so often that more than a theory, as far as measles is “if there are” any doctors question- concerned. He further noted that it is ridiculous §7.15 ing vaccination, they are only a to apply the mechanics of herd immunity at all Isolation of cases and exclusion of contacts handful of disreputable practitio- to the “population” of children in a classroom; without presumptive evidence of immunity ners with, at best, dubious creden- herd immunity only begins to function when we consider broader population masses. tials. us, people are often Case-patients should be isolated for four days post surprised to hear about real rash onset. doctors and scientists who have
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 11 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • •12 13
More recently, on February 9, 2015, AAPS posted the following statement on its website (aapsonline.org):
For the most part, doctors who oppose mandatory vaccination for schoolchildren also hold the view that unvaccinated children do not pose a serious health More recently, on February 9, 2015, AAPS posted the following statement on its website (aapsonline.org): “As a mom I understood the violation of my parental right to informed refusal of a medical treatment, and as a physician I understood how AAPS is opposed to mandatory vaccination, medically dangerous this one-size- ts-all vaccine holding that patients have the right to refuse schedule was for children at large and I just had vaccines, like all medical treatment, and that to do something,” said Dr. Miller. “ e only medical interventions, have risks as well as people who should be making vaccine decisions bene ts, which vary with individuals and for children are their parents and physicians, not circumstances. politicians.”
Doctors who oppose mandatory vaccination for “Since 1988, the Vaccine Injury Compensation schoolchildren also hold the view that unvaccinated Program has awarded $3.2 billion [currently over children do not pose a serious health risk to those $4 billion—Ed.] in compensation to families around them. who have met the extremely stringent injury requirements,” explained pediatrician and PIC founding director, Dr. Paul omas. “How many of these and other families could have avoided Stand and Be Counted the pain of seeing their child injured if doctors Dr. Tetyana Obukhanych’s plea to the California state were held responsible for their recommendations legislature fell on deaf ears, and the bill was passed, and were incentivized to give patients all of the stripping California parents of their right to opt out of information about the risks of vaccines?” vaccination except for very limited medical exemp- tions. Shortly after the bill passed, a group of doctors organized and formed Physicians for Informed Dr. omas received his MD Consent (PIC). from Dartmouth Medical School, and did his residency Dr. Shira Miller, MD is the founder of the organiza- at University of California, tion. is press release from December 20, 2016 San Diego. He is a board (excerpted) tells the story of the genesis of PIC. certi ed fellow of the Ameri- can Academy of Pediatrics, and runs a highly successful PIC is dedicated to raising public awareness practice, currently serving about the problems posed for both parents and more than eleven thousand doctors by mandatory vaccination laws. In June patients in the Portland, 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB277, one of Oregon area. the most expansive and intrusive mandatory vaccination laws in the U.S. ese laws discrimi- Dr. omas wrote a highly informative and balanced nate against families who, in the best interest of book called “ e Vaccine Friendly Plan.” In it, he goes their child’s health, do not follow the CDC’s through the pros and cons of each of the 16 vaccines recommended schedule. Politicians have forced that are recommended by the CDC and gives his their way into the conversation about one of the opinion as to whether or not they are a good health most important medical decisions families will choice for children. In many cases, he suggests that make in consultation with their doctors. the vaccine be administered, but in a less aggressive manner than the CDC’s. “I started researching the childhood vaccine schedule when I was pregnant, and my husband Dr. omas takes pains to note that he does not and I decided not to follow the CDC’s recom- oppose vaccination, and that his children are all mended schedule. When SB277 passed, I felt vaccinated. But he advocates strongly for vaccine like our personal medical decisions were under education and awareness—a necessity for parents who attack,” stated Dr. Shira Miller, who founded are entering the stage where they must make a serious Physicians for Informed Consent in 2015. health decision for their small children revolving around an intervention that provides bene t, but that also entails risk.
14 • Gedolim LettersGedolim on Vaccination,Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Religious Rights andFreedom Religious Freedom • 13 More recently, on February 9, 2015, AAPS posted the PIC is a new organization and has a much smaller Baruch Hashem, no one was hospitalized and all following statement on its website (aapsonline.org): “As a mom I understood the violation of my membership than AAPS; its numbers run in the patients recovered without any complications. parental right to informed refusal of a medical hundreds, not the thousands. PIC doctors are vocal Events in Fallsburg, NY—the facts on the ground—line treatment, and as a physician I understood how about their views. Many of these doctors state that they up with scienti c ndings about measles outbreaks in AAPS is opposed to mandatory vaccination, medically dangerous this one-size- ts-all vaccine know of many more doctors and scientists who agree general, and with reported facts about the measles holding that patients have the right to refuse schedule was for children at large and I just had with their views but who are hesitant to speak up. outbreak of 2018-19 in America: vaccines, like all medical treatment, and that to do something,” said Dr. Miller. “ e only Voicing criticism of vaccines is highly unpopular, and medical interventions, have risks as well as people who should be making vaccine decisions many doctors are fearful of setting themselves back • The index case that sparked the recent measles bene ts, which vary with individuals and for children are their parents and physicians, not professionally. outbreak in America was a vaccinated individual circumstances. politicians.” who brought the measles from Israel. Doctors who oppose mandatory vaccination for “Since 1988, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Anatomy of an Outbreak • Many subsequent measles cases in the recent schoolchildren also hold the view that unvaccinated Program has awarded $3.2 billion [currently over outbreak were also vaccinated. children do not pose a serious health risk to those $4 billion—Ed.] in compensation to families Baruch Hashem, the measles did not in ltrate Chicago around them. who have met the extremely stringent injury in any real way. Chicago’s Rabbonim credit that happy • Many cases are known to have been “vaccine-strain” requirements,” explained pediatrician and PIC outcome to their strong stance, and the swift imple- measles, in other words, patients became sick from founding director, Dr. Paul omas. “How many mentation of their rulings. the vaccine itself, and then spread it to others. Stand and Be Counted of these and other families could have avoided the pain of seeing their child injured if doctors Moreinu Harav Elya Ber Wachtfogel saw a di erent • Scientists have been puzzling over a phenomenon were held responsible for their recommendations reality in his hometown. known as the “measles paradox.” Paradoxically, Dr. Tetyana Obukhanych’s plea to the California state measles has been found to in ltrate into highly legislature fell on deaf ears, and the bill was passed, and were incentivized to give patients all of the information about the risks of vaccines?” e measles hit Fallsburg in April of 2019, and the vaccinated populations—even those with almost stripping California parents of their right to opt out of complete vaccination rates (i.e., over 98%). vaccination except for very limited medical exemp- Rosh Yeshivah had a chance to observe the measles outbreak up close. tions. Shortly after the bill passed, a group of doctors • Primary vaccine failure is when an individual organized and formed Physicians for Informed Dr. omas received his MD Consent (PIC). Fallsburg is a small and insular community centered receives a vaccine, but does not attain immunity. All from Dartmouth Medical around a yeshivah and kollel. e yeshivah’s students vaccines have some failure rate; thus, there is always a School, and did his residency percentage of vaccinated children who are still Dr. Shira Miller, MD is the founder of the organiza- come from all across America, and from Israel and at University of California, Europe as well. susceptible to the disease. What is usually not tion. is press release from December 20, 2016 San Diego. He is a board pointed out is that this also means—perforce—that (excerpted) tells the story of the genesis of PIC. certi ed fellow of the Ameri- e community is home to close to 1,000 people, there is always a percentage of vaccinated children can Academy of Pediatrics, including the yeshivah’s student body. At the time of who can be spreading the infection. For the measles, and runs a highly successful the outbreak, a handful of school-age children and the estimates of primary vaccine failure range between PIC is dedicated to raising public awareness practice, currently serving many babies were not vaccinated against measles. 3% and 10%. about the problems posed for both parents and more than eleven thousand Fewer than ten individuals contracted measles. doctors by mandatory vaccination laws. In June patients in the Portland, • Secondary vaccine failure, also known as "waning 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB277, one of Oregon area. e rst—the index case—was a fully vaccinated immunity," means that adults, and even adolescents, the most expansive and intrusive mandatory adolescent, a student at the yeshivah. An adult immi- may lose the immunity that they had attained as vaccination laws in the U.S. ese laws discrimi- Dr. omas wrote a highly informative and balanced grant kitchen worker—who had contact both at the children. Estimates go as far as saying that among nate against families who, in the best interest of book called “ e Vaccine Friendly Plan.” In it, he goes yeshivah and at the elementary school—contracted adults—even those who have received the full round their child’s health, do not follow the CDC’s through the pros and cons of each of the 16 vaccines measles shortly thereafter. of MMR doses in childhood and adolescence—30% recommended schedule. Politicians have forced that are recommended by the CDC and gives his are no longer immune to measles. their way into the conversation about one of the opinion as to whether or not they are a good health e next cases of measles were vaccinated adult mem- most important medical decisions families will choice for children. In many cases, he suggests that bers of the yeshivah’s and elementary school’s sta . • A large population of immigrants resides in this make in consultation with their doctors. the vaccine be administered, but in a less aggressive One became sick shortly after taking an MMR booster. country, both legally and illegally. Illegal immigrants manner than the CDC’s. Another became sick with fever and a terribly are completely untraceable; thus, there is oftentimes “I started researching the childhood vaccine constricted sore throat, but assumed that it was a bad no way to ascertain the vaccination rates of this schedule when I was pregnant, and my husband Dr. omas takes pains to note that he does not cold and did not remain at home. population. and I decided not to follow the CDC’s recom- oppose vaccination, and that his children are all mended schedule. When SB277 passed, I felt vaccinated. But he advocates strongly for vaccine Within a population of some 400 children, only one • Vaccinated individuals might have imperfect immu- like our personal medical decisions were under education and awareness—a necessity for parents who con rmed case of measles presented; this exposure was nity such that they will become infected with attack,” stated Dr. Shira Miller, who founded are entering the stage where they must make a serious traced back to the teachers at the school. is child was measles, but their sickness will not be so severe. Physicians for Informed Consent in 2015. health decision for their small children revolving not old enough to have received both MMR shots; Especially in adults, what can pass for a bad cold (in around an intervention that provides bene t, but that thus, the child was not fully vaccinated. the absence of the telltale rash) can actually be a case also entails risk. of “sub-clinical measles.”
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 13 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights Rights and andReligious Religious Freedom Freedom • •14 15 Reb Elya Ber has heard the same rhetoric that every- one else has—unvaccinated children are to blame for at us that not vaccinating is “reprehensible” and the current measles outbreak, and lowered vaccination that he refused to converse with us unless we hired rates make our communities susceptible. But these an attorney. We were stunned. After several postulations, for all their popularity, were not true in months, out of desperation, we nally hired a South Fallsburg in the spring of 2019. lawyer to attempt to have a conversation with the “other side”, to sit down with them and attempt to • In Fallsburg, the outbreak was comprised—almost negotiate to at least nish o the school year. Our entirely—of fully vaccinated adults and adolescents. attorney informed us that the school attorney, a frum Yid , spoke very disrespectfully about us, referring to us as “jerks” and describing us as • e unvaccinated children in the community had “leprosy-carrying” and “disease infested”. no part in bringing the measles in, or in perpetu- ating its presence in the community. To the contrary, it was a vaccinated adult who infected a not fully vaccinated child. Again, this report is not an isolated incident. There have been many similar • The Rosh Yeshivah demanded that all reports of widespread unwillingness on parents comply with the local health the part of schools and shuls to come to department’s directives. Parents of the table to talk with non-vaccinating unvaccinated children kept their parents. children home for 21 days after the last known measles case had contact Classifying non-vaccinating within the community’s school. parents or unvaccinated Monitoring, tracking, and quaran- children as rod m is at the tining are proven and e ective very heart of the vaccination measures to contain a measles controversy that has been outbreak. damaging the shalom and achdus of our The infectious and baseless fear of unvaccinated communities in an unprecedented children, which was spreading across the country, was manner. contained in Fallsburg. In its place was respect and cooperation—perfectly e ective against measles, and How can we achieve achdus with people whom we the only e ective means of maintaining community feel are reckless and irresponsible and who are damag- shalom. ing our communities? How can we feel good about embracing children whom we believe might infect Investing in Achdus and sicken our own children? Our Gedolim are cautioning us to view non- The non-vaccinating mother, in the testimonial men- vaccinating parents for what they are—responsible tioned earlier, relates another aspect of her treatment. parents who have made a reasonable decision, a decision that they are within their rights to make. When we pleaded with the school to allow us to As for how we view the unvaccinated children, present our case to the V’aad, they told us “There consider the following scenario: is no V’aad anymore. We asked our shaila to a daas Torah.” When we asked to be permitted to present Your neighbor has a child with yenner machlah, lo our case to the daas Torah, we were told that the aleinu, and the child is undergoing treatments. The identity of the daas Torah would not be disclosed child’s immune system is terribly compromised and to us, and that any further conversation must be he or she cannot be vaccinated. taken up with the school attorney. Would you inform your neighbor that the child is no When we contacted the school attorney, he yelled longer welcome in your home? It is hard to imagine that anyone would do that. But in fact, the immuno- compromised child is more likely to become infectious
16 • Gedolim LettersGedolim on Vaccination, Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Religious Rights Freedomand Religious Freedom • 15 Reb Elya Ber has heard the same rhetoric that every- if exposed to a virus than a child who is unvaccinated one else has—unvaccinated children are to blame for at us that not vaccinating is “reprehensible” and due to the parents’ choice. A healthy unvaccinated the current measles outbreak, and lowered vaccination that he refused to converse with us unless we hired child still has a robust natural immune system, !"!#$%&'((%)*%*#!+,-*#.)*#/*'-%0&%)1#2((3),4.1,')#5&+%*3-% # rates make our communities susceptible. But these an attorney. We were stunned. After several whereas the immunocompromised child does not. 6.01# 67%0%)1# postulations, for all their popularity, were not true in months, out of desperation, we nally hired a 89:;# 89<=# ;>89# lawyer to attempt to have a conversation with the !" # $ "% &!'%()%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(6738+5+9:/% &'5!%(;%:357./% South Fallsburg in the spring of 2019. We would not think of excluding immunocompro- <*5##6"=% >!?%()%*"+,-./% &'5!%(6738+5+9:/% 0!?%(;%:357./% “other side”, to sit down with them and attempt to &!'% &!'%(;%*"+,-./% @36%A%(B$7,-/% CCD%(;%:357./% mised children, because they arouse our sympathy. On % >!?%(;%*"+,-./% @36%A%()%*"+,-./% ?57$93##5%(;%:357./% • In Fallsburg, the outbreak was comprised—almost negotiate to at least nish o the school year. Our ?#@.&&,)%0# &!'%(E%*"+,-./% D",5F$72.%()%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(G%:357./% the other hand, due to unfair labeling, the willfully =#,)A%&1,')0# CCD%(HG%*"+,-./% &'5!%()%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(E%:357./% attorney informed us that the school attorney, a &!'%(HI%*"+,-./% @$B%()%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(J%:357./% entirely—of fully vaccinated adults and adolescents. ?#*,0%.0%0% frum Yid, spoke very disrespectfully about us, unvaccinated arouse our ire. But the reality is that the >!?%(HI%*"+,-./% !K?%()%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(I%:357./% % &!'%(;%:357./% 0!?%()%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(L%:357./% referring to us as “jerks” and describing us as % >!?%(;%:357./% D",5F$72.%(;%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(HM%:357./% e unvaccinated children in the community had chance of either child presenting a real danger is • “leprosy-carrying” and “disease infested”. % 'N%(HG%:357./% &'5!%(;%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(HH%:357./% no part in bringing the measles in, or in perpetu- negligible or non-existent. % % @$B%(;%*"+,-./% @!?%(HHOH)%:357./% % ;B#@.&&,)%0# !K?%(;%*"+,-./% @!?%(HHOH)%:357./% ating its presence in the community. To the % C#,)A%&1,')0## 0!?%(;%*"+,-./% 'N56%(HHOH)%:357./% % @36%A%(E%*"+,-./% C3+$+8"9"995#%(HHOH)%:357./% C#*,0%.0%0# contrary, it was a vaccinated adult In the interest of maintaining achdus, it % D",5F$72.%(E%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(H)%:357./% % (>!?%$.%5+%"75#%% &'5!%(E%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(HP%:357./% F599$+3/# who infected a not fully vaccinated is incumbent upon all members of the % @$B%(E%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(H;%:357./% % !K?%(E%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(HG%:357./% child. Again, this report is not an isolated community—and speci cally the % 0!?%(E%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(HE%:357./% # 0+1#23+45%(E%*"+,-./% C3+$+8"9"995#%(HE%:357./% incident. There have been many similar D%E#1'#F.&&,)%0# leadership—to familiarize themselves # 0+1#23+45%(J%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(HI%:357./% reports of widespread unwillingness on &!'%("7%&'!/Q%&$6-,-37$5R%!37,2..$.R%'3,5+2. % !K?%(H)%*"+,-./% 0+1#23+45%(HJ%:357./% • The Rosh Yeshivah demanded that all CCDQ%C35.#3.RC2*6.RD2B3##5(S37*5+%*35.#3./ % @$B%(H)%*"+,-./% % >!?Q%%>75#%!"#$"%?599$+3% % parents comply with the local health the part of schools and shuls to come to with the scienti c realities that speak to 'NQ%%'3,5+2.R%&$6-,-37$5% CCD%(H)%*"+,-./% C=#@.&&,)%0# &'5!Q%%&$6-,-37$5R%'3,5+2.R%593##2#57%!37,2..$. % ?57$93##5%(H)%*"+,-./% B;G?;#,)A%&1,')0# the table to talk with non-vaccinating @$BQ%%@53*"6-$#2.%$+1#23+453%,:63%A %% @36%X%(H)%*"+,-./% department’s directives. Parents of what e ect, if any, unvaccinated children !K?Q%%!+32*"9"995#%K"+T285,3%?599$+3 % 8:#*,0%.0%0% parents. 0!?Q%%0+59,$F5,3N%!"#$"%?599$+3 % &'5!%(HI%*"+,-./% unvaccinated children kept their ?57$93##5Q%K-$9U3+6"=%% 0+1#23+45%(HI%*"+,-./% (D",5F$72.%$.%5+%"75#%F599$+3V% have on other children, and on our @!?Q%%@2*5+%!56$##"*5F$72.%(S57N5.$#/ % ."*3%9"*B$+5,$"+%.-",.%573% @36%X%(HI%*"+,-./% children home for 21 days after the 'N56Q%%'3,5+2.R%N$6-,-37 $5R%593##2#57%637,2..$.%B"".,37 # 5F5$#5B#3W/% communities. 0+1#23+45%(PM%*"+,-./% last known measles case had contact Classifying non-vaccinating 0+1#23+45%(;)%*"+,-./% % within the community’s school. parents or unvaccinated Monitoring, tracking, and quaran- children as rod m is at the Here is some information that can be helpful towards -,,6.QYYZZZW9N9W8"FYF599$+3.Y.9-3N2#3.Y-96Y$*4Y9-$#NO5N"#3.93+,W-,*#%%% tining are proven and e ective very heart of the vaccination that end: measures to contain a measles controversy that has been outbreak. First and foremost, everyone should familiarize damaging the shalom and achdus of our himself/herself with the vaccine schedule. Take a look protected from becoming sick, but if he has an expo- The infectious and baseless fear of unvaccinated communities in an unprecedented at the following chart. (Incidentally, the chart shows sure to the bacteria, he may incubate it and transmit it children, which was spreading across the country, was manner. how the vaccination schedule has increased over the to others just the same as an unvaccinated child. contained in Fallsburg. In its place was respect and years.) cooperation—perfectly e ective against measles, and How can we achieve achdus with people whom we Tetanus is not communicable from one person to the feel are reckless and irresponsible and who are damag- the only e ective means of maintaining community Diphtheria has been virtually eliminated from the next; it can only be contracted through direct exposure shalom. ing our communities? How can we feel good about embracing children whom we believe might infect United States, and polio completely so. Of course, the to the toxin itself. and sicken our own children? oft-heard claim “if we do not all vaccinate, these Investing in Achdus diseases may come back” is a valid concern. But that is Hepatitis B is a a blood-borne disease; our children Our Gedolim are cautioning us to view non- an eventual possibility; in our current reality, an can neither contract it, nor transmit it through casual The non-vaccinating mother, in the testimonial men- vaccinating parents for what they are—responsible unvaccinated child cannot transmit these diseases contact in a school or home setting. tioned earlier, relates another aspect of her treatment. parents who have made a reasonable decision, a because he cannot be exposed to them. decision that they are within their rights to make. e only diseases that are infectious and communi- When we pleaded with the school to allow us to As for how we view the unvaccinated children, Meningitis cable through casual contact in our classrooms or consider the following scenario: is extremely rare, and its transmission present our case to the V’aad, they told us “There generally only takes place where individuals live homes are chicken pox, measles, mumps and is no V’aad anymore. We asked our shaila to a daas together (i.e., students in dormitories), not in class- rubella. Torah.” When we asked to be permitted to present Your neighbor has a child with yenner machlah, lo our case to the daas Torah, we were told that the aleinu, and the child is undergoing treatments. The rooms. identity of the daas Torah would not be disclosed child’s immune system is terribly compromised and is is an important rst step in viewing “unvacci- to us, and that any further conversation must be he or she cannot be vaccinated. Pertussis: According to the FDA, “neither DTP, nor nated children” in a less harsh light. We are not talking taken up with the school attorney. DTaP or Tdap prevent asymptomatic infection and about children who can infect others with any one of Would you inform your neighbor that the child is no silent transmission of the pathogen.” In other words, hundreds of diseases. In fact, the opposite is true: all When we contacted the school attorney, he yelled longer welcome in your home? It is hard to imagine children are unvaccinated against the hundreds of that anyone would do that. But in fact, the immuno- pertussis vaccine does not prevent transmission of compromised child is more likely to become infectious pertussis. A child who has the shot is ostensibly
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 15 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • •16 17 types of viruses that can infect them for which there sick. In other words, he might be infectious. are no vaccines. “Unvaccinated children” are only unvaccinated against four additional diseases. But all children might be infectious.
Another important fact to remember is that an • Due to primary vaccine failure, even duly vaccinated unvaccinated child is not an infectious child. As we children can end up being completely non-immune. mentioned earlier, viewing unvaccinated children as Any number of these children might be infectious. sick, and certainly labeling them as “disease-ridden” or “lepers,” bespeaks an ignorance of the rudiments of • Given the high prevalence of vaccine-strain measles the science of the immune system. in the past outbreak, we must be concerned that any recently vaccinated child might be infectious. In the absence of a direct exposure to a virus, the unvaccinated child cannot become sick, and cannot Most importantly, given the reality of secondary sicken others. Using measles as an example, when vaccine failure, or waning immunity, what we really there are no measles cases in the vicinity, the unvacci- need to be concerned about is that any adolescent or nated child cannot infect anyone because he cannot adult might be infectious. is is the most worrisome; be exposed. During an outbreak, health authorities as mentioned above, vaccinated individuals with monitor the con rmed cases, so it remains a real safek waning immunity can get atypical measles—without whether or not any given unvaccinated child had any the standard symptoms such as the telltale rash. If exposure. these people get sick, it is more than likely that they will stay in the public sphere (they might think they us, the only concern is that the unvaccinated child just have a bad cold), and their cases will not be might have been exposed, and might currently be recorded or traced. incubating the disease without showing signs of being
She’eilas Chacham
e following is a testimonial from a parent who consulted with Hagaon Harav Dovid Feinstein shlita:
Until now our school had accepted our religious exemption letters, and all of the community’s children were in the school. With the new law, things have changed. ere are legal avenues to be pursued to enable some limited level of attendance (for example, the morning davening program can be structured so that all children can attend davening) but these ideas are only practical if there is an environment of mutual respect and achdus among all of the parents, and a communal desire to include all the children in the school to the extent possible.
We view the current circumstances as a community challenge—we want to appeal to our community to support us as chaveirim and shcheinim, even if they disagree with our vaccination choices. e new law notwithstanding, we want to ask them to join us in an e ort to bring our children back to school in whatever sense possible.
What is preventing this from happening is the notion that unvaccinated children are rotzchim and rod m. When this idea is promulgated, vaccinating parents become angry and frightened of their chaveirim and shcheinim and very little can be accomplished in terms of community shalom.
I showed Reb Dovid the recent pamphlet that had been widely distributed. In it, unvaccinated children and non-vaccinating parents are accorded these very labels—rod m and rotzchim. I asked Reb Dovid if he would sign a letter stating that parents should respect each others’ choices. Reb Dovid told us that he cannot write that letter out of a concern that people would take it to mean that he condones choosing not to vaccinate.
18 • Gedolim GedolimLetters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Religious Rights, and Freedom Religious Freedom • 17 types of viruses that can infect them for which there sick. In other words, he might be infectious. are no vaccines. “Unvaccinated children” are only I asked Reb Dovid, unvaccinated against four additional diseases. But all children might be infectious. “But for those of us who have made that decision, why should we be coerced? Why can’t we stay in school?” Another important fact to remember is that an • Due to primary vaccine failure, even duly vaccinated Reb Dovid asked me, unvaccinated child is not an infectious child. As we children can end up being completely non-immune. mentioned earlier, viewing unvaccinated children as Any number of these children might be infectious. “So what do you want? Do you want a hundred children to leave school, so that three or four children can stay? e sick, and certainly labeling them as “disease-ridden” or other parents are afraid of this—” Reb Dovid waved the pamphlet, meaning that the other parents are afraid of “lepers,” bespeaks an ignorance of the rudiments of • Given the high prevalence of vaccine-strain measles unvaccinated children. I answered that I do not believe that there are many parents in my community who are so the science of the immune system. in the past outbreak, we must be concerned that any concerned that they would actually remove their children from a classroom where there are one or two unvaccinated recently vaccinated child might be infectious. children. In the absence of a direct exposure to a virus, the Most importantly, given the reality of secondary Reb Dovid’s stated that if this is indeed the case—if a majority of parents in our school are not fearful of harm unvaccinated child cannot become sick, and cannot then there is no vaccine failure, or waning immunity, what we really coming to their children, or are not fearful enough that they themselves would leave the school— sicken others. Using measles as an example, when reason that our children must leave. (Reb Dovid noted that this does not mean that the hanhalah of our school will there are no measles cases in the vicinity, the unvacci- need to be concerned about is that any adolescent or necessarily agree to this.) nated child cannot infect anyone because he cannot adult might be infectious. is is the most worrisome; be exposed. During an outbreak, health authorities as mentioned above, vaccinated individuals with Reb Dovid granted us a lengthy audience, and took our position quite seriously. Although we did not get the letter, monitor the con rmed cases, so it remains a real safek waning immunity can get atypical measles—without we were encouraged by Reb Dovid’s words—in our community, at least, we had the right to remain at school. As we whether or not any given unvaccinated child had any the standard symptoms such as the telltale rash. If left, he gave us a warm brachah. exposure. these people get sick, it is more than likely that they will stay in the public sphere (they might think they us, the only concern is that the unvaccinated child just have a bad cold), and their cases will not be might have been exposed, and might currently be recorded or traced. It is important to remember the nature of this Rav Dovid views the question of vaccination within a incubating the disease without showing signs of being exchange–this was not a halachic shailoh and teshuvah; tzibur as a question of the public space. A minority rather, it was a talmid’s request for a Gadol’s advice and cannot ruin a public space for the majority. If the guidance. presence of a minority of unvaccinated children in a school will cause the majority to leave, then the She’eilas Chacham Moreinu Rav Dovid Feinstein feels strongly that minority can be asked to leave. But if the majority parents who choose not to vaccinate are not making are staying in school at any rate, then no one can e following is a testimonial from a parent who consulted with Hagaon Harav Dovid Feinstein shlita: the correct decision. What the talmid wanted to know ask the minority to leave. (Again, to clarify, Reb was this—how should the tzibur relate to and view Dovid was not discussing his views on whether or not those parents who are following the guidance of a school’s hanhalah had the right to do so.) Until now our school had accepted our religious exemption letters, and all of the community’s children were in the other Gedolim, and who choose not to vaccinate? school. With the new law, things have changed. ere are legal avenues to be pursued to enable some limited level of Should they be antagonistic towards those parents, attendance (for example, the morning davening program can be structured so that all children can attend davening) and impose sanctions to coerce them to submit to the but these ideas are only practical if there is an environment of mutual respect and achdus among all of the parents, “correct” vaccination practices? Or should they be and a communal desire to include all the children in the school to the extent possible. respectful of them, and grant them their communal rights? We view the current circumstances as a community challenge—we want to appeal to our community to support us as chaveirim and shcheinim, even if they disagree with our vaccination choices. e new law notwithstanding, we want to ask them to join us in an e ort to bring our children back to school in whatever sense possible. e exchange is instructive. Clearly, Rav Dovid does not view non-vaccinating parents as mumarim who are What is preventing this from happening is the notion that unvaccinated children are rotzchim and rod m. When this outing the Torah, and who lose their rights in the idea is promulgated, vaccinating parents become angry and frightened of their chaveirim and shcheinim and very little community. Nor does he view unvaccinated children can be accomplished in terms of community shalom. as rod m or mazikim that must be removed from public venues at all costs. To the contrary; Reb Dovid’s I showed Reb Dovid the recent pamphlet that had been widely distributed. In it, unvaccinated children and view seems to be that fear of unvaccinated children non-vaccinating parents are accorded these very labels—rod m and rotzchim. I asked Reb Dovid if he would sign a is as unscienti c as fear of the vaccines, and that it is letter stating that parents should respect each others’ choices. Reb Dovid told us that he cannot write that letter out of a concern that people would take it to mean that he condones choosing not to vaccinate. not anyone’s prerogative to judge other parents’ choices.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 17 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • • 18 19 Part 3: Rav Elyashiv and the Gedolei Eretz Yisrael
Back in Time
Back to Lakewood of 2010.
As one can imagine, the drama being played out as a result of Rabbinic pronouncements and counter-pronouncements engendered no small level of confusion within the Lake- wood community. By this time, the number of non-vaccinating parents in Lakewood had risen. Many of these parents had stopped vaccinating because they believed that one of their children had been injured by a vaccine. But due to incessant pressure from Lake- wood doctors, these parents were being continually harassed, and unfortunate incidents marring the shalom of the Lake- wood community were occurring with frequency.
Harav Shmuel Meir Katz, shlita, is one of Beis Medrash Govoha’s four senior poskim. ( e other three are Harav Yaakov Forch- heimer, shlita, Harav Osher Chaim Lieber- man, shlita, and Harav Shmuel Felder, shlita). Harav Katz sought to quell the disturbances, and published the following letter:
Rabbi Katz forwarded his letter to Moreinu HaRav Shmuel Kamenetzky, shlita, who endorsed it and signed it, and to the Rosh Yeshivah of Beth Medrash Govoha, Moreinu Harav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, who appended the following note: It is a “dovor poshut” that every individual retains the right to his own opinion in this matter, and many feel that [vaccination] should not be done; as such, it is clear that no one may force anyone else to do something that he opposes.
20 • GedolimGedolim Letters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Rights, Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 19 Part 3: Skipping Oceans Unvaccinated children cannot be barred Rav Elyashiv and the from a cheder. e worry that an With increasing frequency, school administrations unvaccinated child might infect other Gedolei Eretz Yisrael found themselves in the middle of vaccine related children is too remote to demand the con icts as they faced pressure, on the one hand, to removal of the unvaccinated child. expel unvaccinated children, and, on the other hand, Parents should be reassured that there is to deal with parents demanding their rights to both remain at school and eschew vaccination. nothing dangerous about an Back in Time unvaccinated child, but in the event that In 2012, the Lakewood vaccine drama took a trans- a parent is worried, he must remove his Back to Lakewood of 2010. Atlantic leap. e menahel who had consulted the own child from the school—not demand Lakewood beis din in 2008 regarding general policy that the unvaccinated child leave. As one can imagine, the drama being played was now facing a speci c situation: out as a result of Rabbinic pronouncements and counter-pronouncements engendered no In one of the classes in his cheder was an unvaccinated small level of confusion within the Lake- boy and a vaccinated boy who had an unvaccinated wood community. By this time, the number sibling at home who was medically unable to receive of non-vaccinating parents in Lakewood had vaccinations. risen. Many of these parents had stopped vaccinating because they believed that one of e parents of the unvaccinated boy had taken a close their children had been injured by a vaccine. look at vaccines, and believed that they were not as But due to incessant pressure from Lake- safe as they were popularly assumed to be. ey also wood doctors, these parents were being felt that a healthy unvaccinated child poses no signi - continually harassed, and unfortunate cant health risk to other students in a classroom. e incidents marring the shalom of the Lake- parents of the other children disagreed on both wood community were occurring with counts, and their opinion was supported by a local frequency. doctor. e parents of the vaccinated boy wanted the school to demand that the child be vaccinated or leave Harav Shmuel Meir Katz, shlita, is one of the school. e parents of the unvaccinated boy were Beis Medrash Govoha’s four senior poskim. unwilling to agree to either demand. If the presence of ( e other three are Harav Yaakov Forch- their son so bothered the other parents, let the vacci- heimer, shlita, Harav Osher Chaim Lieber- nated boy leave. man, shlita, and Harav Shmuel Felder, shlita). Harav Katz sought to quell the is time, the menahel appealed to Harav Eliezer disturbances, and published the following Dunner, shlita, to put the question to Moreinu Once again, the matter was settled—temporarily. e letter: Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita. Who must unvaccinated boy stayed on in cheder, as did the leave? vaccinated boy, whose parents were perhaps moved by Rabbi Katz forwarded his letter to Moreinu Rav Chaim’s reassuring words. HaRav Shmuel Kamenetzky, shlita, who Both sets of parents wrote out their positions. ( e endorsed it and signed it, and to the Rosh parents of the vaccinated boy did so with the help of Yeshivah of Beth Medrash Govoha, Moreinu the local doctor.) Harav Eliezer Dunner, shlita, Harav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, who appended brought the shailoh into Rav Chaim. Rav Chaim the following note: issued his psak, which Rav Dunner relayed in a letter dated 24 Iyar 5772 (2012): It is a “dovor poshut” that every individual retains the right to his own opinion in this matter, and many feel that [vaccination] Moreinu Harav Chaim’s response was clear. should not be done; as such, it is clear that no one may force anyone else to do something that he opposes.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 19 GedolimGedolim Letters onLetters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and Religiousand Religious Freedom Freedom • 20 • 21
בס"ד, יום כ"ד לחודש א'ני י' ר'ופאך תשע"ב
To Whom it May Concern,
מרן הג"ר חיים Concerning children whose parents don’t allow them to be vaccinated, I asked because they might cause other חדר if one has the right to stop them coming to school or קניבסקי שליט"א :ח"ו children to become ill
.חדר He answered that one cannot stop them from coming to school or
that these not - vaccinated children could cause other חשש I understood from him that the cannot be taken into חשש children [who were vaccinated] to become ill, is so remote, that this .חדר consideration as a reason to stop the not – vaccinated children from coming to school or
He added that if there are parents of vaccinated children who are scared that their children might become ill because of those children who are not vaccinated, then they should keep their is so remote, that they don’t חשש vaccinated children at home, but I understood from him that since the have to be scared.
בברכת "והסרותי מחלה מקרבך ואת מספר ימיך אמלא"
אליעזר הלוי דינר
22 • GedolimGedolim Letters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Rights,Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 21 Religious Exemption • Schools may not send out unvaccinated children As we have seen, Harav Shlomo Miller strongly in the middle of the year, but may formulate disagreed with the letter, “We the Undersigned…” But policy for the coming school year that excludes as the controversy intensi ed, Harav Miller felt the unvaccinated children. (This last point carries two
need to take a stance to encourage community-wide qualifications—a majority of the parent body vaccination. must vote to expel the unvaccinated children, and such a policy cannot be implemented in all of the schools in Lakewood. e commu- nity maintains a responsibility to see to the chinuch of all of the community’s children. If all schools in Lakewood refuse entry to unvaccinated children, the chinuch needs of all of the community’s children will not be met.)
Rav Miller’s final point was directed at the Yeshivos. Since, in the Rav’s opinion, Jewish law obligates parents to vaccinate their children, schools who followed his ruling were legally entitled to reject a parent’s religious exemption request, since a school can demand that its parent body conform with the school’s religious rulings. Eight years later, the issue of religious exemp- tion became a matter of fierce debate in New Jersey, as legislators received information from certain Rabbis that vaccination had nothing בס"ד, יום כ"ד לחודש א'ני י' ר'ופאך תשע"ב to do with religion. But as we have seen, the To Whom it May Concern, Lakewood Rabbis argue over the Torah’s view on vaccination. Whether they rule that מרן הג"ר חיים Concerning children whose parents don’t allow them to be vaccinated, I asked -because they might cause other “according to the Torah one must immu חדר if one has the right to stop them coming to school or קניבסקי שליט"א nize,” or whether they rule that Jewish law :ח"ו children to become ill views vaccination as a matter of parental .חדר He answered that one cannot stop them from coming to school or choice, they see vaccination as a question ,that these not - vaccinated children could cause other that Rabbis need to rule on; in other words חשש I understood from him that the .cannot be taken into they see it as a religious issue חשש children [who were vaccinated] to become ill, is so remote, that this .חדר consideration as a reason to stop the not – vaccinated children from coming to school or
He added that if there are parents of vaccinated children who are scared that their children (In a future publication, we will discuss Rav might become ill because of those children who are not vaccinated, then they should keep their Miller’s statement that “according to the is so remote, that they don’t Torah one must follow the opinion of the חשש vaccinated children at home, but I understood from him that since the have to be scared. majority of the doctors.”) Harav Miller’s ruling states that: The Rabbinical staff of Beis Medrash Govoha in בברכת "והסרותי מחלה מקרבך ואת מספר ימיך אמלא" According to Torah law, one must vaccinate one’s Lakewood made their position clear in a letter dated • אליעזר הלוי דינר children. Nevertheless, July 2019—vaccination is indeed a religious issue and parents absolutely may submit a religious • Non-vaccinating parents cannot be coerced into exemption letter. Claiming that one opposes vaccination, because there is no “clear and present vaccination on religious grounds has a rm basis danger” in their not vaccinating. As for schools, in the Torah.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 21 GedolimGedolim Letters Letterson Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and andReligious Religious Freedom Freedom • •22 23 24 • GedolimGedolim Letters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Rights,Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 23 e Torah Commands vaccinating parents and their unvaccinated children was already a forceful debate in Lakewood. When Interestingly, the dating of the many Rabbinic letters measles outbreaks occurred on the national scene, that came out regarding vaccination follow the pattern intense media coverage stirred up passions. It is no of measles outbreaks in America. coincidence that perhaps the most signi cant rabbinic letter regarding vaccination was published To wit, Rav Chaim’s letter, and Rav Shlomo Miller’s in that year. psak came out in 2012, after a measles outbreak occurred in New York in 2011. In Tishrei of 5775 (2015) a letter was drafted and signed by Moreinu Hagaon Rav Malkiel, shlita, e next American measles outbreak was the famous Moreinu Hagaon Rav Shmuel, shlita, and Moreinu “Disneyland Outbreak” in 2015. e issue of non- Hamashgiach, Harav Matisyahu Solomon, shlita.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 23 GedolimGedolim Letters Letterson Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and andReligious Religious Freedom Freedom • 24• 25 Another letter signed by seven Gedolim and Rabbonim or have disassociated themselves from the letter. In chashuvim also reiterated Moreinu Hagaon Harav contrast, the signatories of the letter, “ e Torah Chaim Kanievsky’s psak. It began with the words, “ e commands…” still publicly stand by the letter. Torah Commands…” One exception is Moreinu Harav Aharon Schechter, shlita, Rosh Yeshivah of Yeshivas Chaim Berlin. Guiding Responsibly After signing the letter “ e Torah Commands,” the Rosh Yeshivah added a note: As noted above, most of the signatories of the letter, “We, the Undersigned…” are either no longer with us,
26 • GedolimGedolim Letters Letterson Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental RightsParental and Rights, Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 25 • Parents who choose not to vaccinate are following Another letter signed by seven Gedolim and Rabbonim or have disassociated themselves from the letter. In a reasonable course of action; chashuvim also reiterated Moreinu Hagaon Harav contrast, the signatories of the letter, “ e Torah I am not an expert in these matters, but I Chaim Kanievsky’s psak. It began with the words, “ e have heard of responsible ba’alei eitzah who commands…” still publicly stand by the letter. • There is no halachic imperative to vaccinate; and Torah Commands…” are opposed to [vaccination]; therefore—as “stated in the above [letter]— it is not One exception is Moreinu Harav Aharon Schechter, • Parents cannot be forced into vaccination. shlita, Rosh Yeshivah of Yeshivas Chaim Berlin. possible to force [others to vaccinate] Guiding Responsibly After signing the letter “ e Torah Commands,” the Rosh Yeshivah added a note: Case Reopened As noted above, most of the signatories of the letter, Nevertheless, in a letter dated November, 2018, the “We, the Undersigned…” are either no longer with us, Rosh Yeshivah issued a ruling for his yeshivah”, Yeshivas Chaim Berlin: If the publication of Rabbinic letters and responsa followed the pattern of American measles outbreaks, the intensity of the debate followed suit as well. We have been advised by our doctors that Nowhere was this more apparent than during the any person without up-to-date immuniza- measles outbreak of 2018-19. tions should refrain from being in the “Yeshivah community,” including anyone During the winter of 2018-19, the measles surfaced who was opposed to vaccination on “ideo- once again, but this time hit home. logical grounds. Baltimore had one case; Detroit, Passaic, Chicago, and Fallsburg had only sprinklings. Lakewood and e two letters are not contradictory in any way. Monsey saw signi cant numbers; Brooklyn, speci - e Rosh Yeshivah was not” paskening a shailoh—he was cally Williamsburg, saw hundreds. issuing a ruling of da’as Torah. Our Gedolim pasken halachic shailos, and answer questions, but they also By now, practically no Orthodox Jew was neutral guide us with their da’as Torah as to how to view an on the topic of vaccination. On the national scene, unclear situation, and what course of action to follow. what may rightfully be termed hysteria prevailed. In e face of the vaccine debate changed drastically in our own communities, vaccine related con icts the three year interim between the publishing of these became commonplace. Schools expelled children en two letters, and, of course, in November 2018, Brook- masse, and, frighteningly, some shuls began exclud- lyn was in the midst of a measles outbreak. e Rosh ing the unvaccinated as well. Stories of terrible Yeshivah’s assessment of the situation had obviously family discord—even between husbands and changed, and his guidance changed accordingly. wives—surfaced.
e views of the Roshei Hayeshivah—Moreinu HaRav Once again, appeals were made to Gedolim in Eretz Malkiel, Moreinu HaRav Shmuel, and Moreinu Yisrael. HaRav Elya Ber— also developed in the three years since the letter “ e Torah Obligates…” was publi- cized. As the vaccine debate intensi ed, more frum doctors and talmidei chachomim began to do research and to come forward with information. Whereas Moreinu HaRav Aharon’s view moved towards encour- aging vaccination, these three Gedolim began to take an even rmer stance when reiterating their da’as Torah:
• Vaccination carries significant risks for a subset of the population;
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 25 GedolimGedolim Letters Letterson Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and andReligious Religious Freedom Freedom • •26 27 Rav Elyashiv’s Psak
Harav Dovid Morgenstern, shlita is a well known rov in Eretz Yisroel who was close is letter has been translated and with Moreinu Hagaon Harav Elyashiv, disseminated, but the translation is zatzal. Rav Morgenstern was asked for his lacking in that it is unclear where Rav opinion as to how Rav Elyashiv would have Elyashiv “stops speaking” and where ruled regarding the burning “vaccination Harav Morgenstern picks up the thread. shailoh.” Harav Morgenstern responded with a letter dated 3 Kislev 5779 (Dec., In the English version the entire letter 2018). In it, Harav Morgenstern writes that sounds like a quote, and contains the Rav Elyashiv gave him two rulings: following ideas:
• It is an obligation for a parent to vacci- • Measles causes death and brain damage nate his child to prevent diseases. in high percentages,
• It is incumbent upon communal institutions to • “If one does not vaccinate and infects others exclude unvaccinated persons since unvaccinated besides the disease itself that causes pain and persons could bring harm to others. su ering etc., but is also endangering their lives, r”l, or endangering them with brain damage, r”l, and if he doesn’t care about himself how is it that he won’t have compassion on infants, children and adults, when his refraining could be the cause of homicide or severe disability to his close ones and friends?”
• One who does not vaccinate is not merely violating “lo sa’amod al dam rei’echa,” he is actually harming others.
Did Rav Elyashiv believe that measles can cause death and brain damage “in high percentages?” Like any other eltereh Yerushalmi Yid, Rav Elyashiv surely saw scores, if not hundreds, of measles cases over his lifetime. Did he have personal experience with recurring death and brain damage from this childhood disease, usually regarded as benign by people from Rav Elyashiv’s generation?
It is worthwhile to take a look at the original Hebrew letter.
28 • GedolimGedolim Letters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and ReligiousRights, and Freedom Religious Freedom • 27 Whereas the English version of the letter gives the ere are many people in Eretz Yisrael who Rav Elyashiv’s Psak impression that Rav Elyashiv is continuing his psak, in don’t do any medical interventions at all. the original Hebrew letter it is clear that Rav Elyashiv Rav Elyashiv’s view was, listen to the Harav Dovid Morgenstern, shlita is a well is letter has been translated and merely stated the initial line: “doctors. Don’t strike out on your own, and known rov in Eretz Yisroel who was close don’t be an oiberchochom. If there is an with Moreinu Hagaon Harav Elyashiv, disseminated, but the translation is is available vaccine, take advantage of it. הצגתי את צדדי הדבר, ולאחר דיון בדבר הורה שחובה zatzal. Rav Morgenstern was asked for his lacking in that it is unclear where Rav was always his position. Don’t go against לקבל חיסונים אלו, וכן אמר שעל מוסדות הציבור לא opinion as to how Rav Elyashiv would have Elyashiv “stops speaking” and where .the grain לאפשר למי שאינו מחוסן מלשהות עם הציבור שבכך .Harav Morgenstern picks up the thread עלול להזיק להם ruled regarding the burning “vaccination shailoh.” Harav Morgenstern responded In the English version the entire letter with a letter dated 3 Kislev 5779 (Dec., e rest of the letter is Rav Morgenstern’s writing, But Rav Elyashiv did not hold a strong view on the 2018). In it, Harav Morgenstern writes that sounds like a quote, and contains the following ideas: explaining the urgency of the psak. matter. He simply” encouraged people to listen to their Rav Elyashiv gave him two rulings: doctors. And since the doctors of Rav Elyashiv’s day encouraged vaccination, so did Rav Elyashiv. • It is an obligation for a parent to vacci- • Measles causes death and brain damage in high percentages, nate his child to prevent diseases. Given the above testimonies, was Rav Elyashiv’s rst a strict —שחובה לקבל חיסונים אלו —statement • “If one does not vaccinate and infects others • It is incumbent upon communal institutions to halachic imperative, or a word of Rabbinic guidance? exclude unvaccinated persons since unvaccinated besides the disease itself that causes pain and persons could bring harm to others. su ering etc., but is also endangering their lives, What about the second statement attributed to Rav r”l, or endangering them with brain damage, r”l, Elyashiv? and if he doesn’t care about וכן אמר שעל מוסדות הציבור לא לאפשר למי שאינו himself how is it that he won’t מחוסן מלשהות עם הציבור ,have compassion on infants children and adults, when his refraining could be the cause of All in the Family “Not to permit unvaccinated people to stay in the homicide or severe disability to community,” as the English translation puts it, is strong Harav Morgenstern is well known as being a faithful his close ones and friends?” wording, and not faithful to the original Hebrew. does not mean “to permit,” it means “to allow לאפשר talmid of Rav Elyashiv. Nevertheless, many people wondered at this psak. What was the background? Was • One who does not vaccinate is not to happen.” Did Rav Elyashiv say that mosdos hachi- this ruling delivered in answer to a particular situa- merely violating “lo sa’amod al nuch should take the drastic step of sending children tion? Speci cally, people wondered about the second dam rei’echa,” he is actually home? part of the psak—did Rav Elyashiv mean that mosdos harming others. hachinuch should expel unvaccinated students? Rabbi Epstein spoke with a mechanech involved in the chinuch in Yerushalayim for over three decades who Did Rav Elyashiv believe that Rabbi Epstein picked up the phone once again. He was in close consultation with Rav Elyashiv on many measles can cause death and brain called other talmidim and close family members of chinuch issues. He reports that if any cheder, yeshivah, damage “in high percentages?” Like Rav Elyashiv. e consensus was that Rav Elyashiv did or school ever sent away unvaccinated children in any other eltereh Yerushalmi Yid, Rav not hold a rm position obligating parents to vacci- Yerushalayim, he was unaware of it. Elyashiv surely saw scores, if not nate. In fact, they report that they never heard hundreds, of measles cases over his anything at all from Rav Elyashiv regarding vaccina- It is di cult to say what Rav Elyashiv might have lifetime. Did he have personal tion. meant. Perhaps he simply meant to say that public experience with recurring death and institutions should not be lazy in implementing strate- brain damage from this childhood A relative close to Rav Elyashiv remembers that the gies to raise vaccination rates. disease, usually regarded as benign older Elyashiv children all had the measles, and it by people from Rav Elyashiv’s never raised any concern in the Elyashiv household. generation? When the vaccine became available, the younger Trusted Information Elyashiv children were duly vaccinated. e relative It is worthwhile to take a look at the noted: It is well known that Rav Elyashiv trusted Rav Mor- original Hebrew letter. genstern implicitly, and relied on his medical acumen.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 27 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • • 28 29 From Rav Elyashiv, Mesorah Publications, 2013, pp. Although the disease is known to be potentially 305-6: fatal for small children, the parents feared side e ects from the shot. Harav Tatz brought the When a question was posed to Rav Elyashiv shailoh to Rav Elyashiv, who ruled that they must regarding the permissibility of alternative medical vaccinate. practices…Rav Elyashiv did not answer, but referred the question to his student Rav Dovid Rav Elyashiv explained his ruling: e parents’ Morgenstern, an English speaker who is familiar obligation is based upon the fact that childhood with many medical matters. When Rav Morgen- vaccinations are a routine, medically accepted stern concluded that the practices were forbidden convention. out of concern for possible violation of the prohibitions of idolatry and following in the ways Rabbi Tatz quotes Rav Elyashiv: of the Emorites, Rav Elyashiv sat with him every week for several weeks and helped him carefully “Immunizing children in this generation is consid- craft his halachic response in Rav Elyashiv’s name. ered normal and a Jew is obliged to do that which is Rav Morgenstern would come to Rav Elyashiv once a week to pose his questions, and during broadly normal in society.” that time, he would present the response prepared over the course of the previous week and Rav Rav Elyashiv went on to say that if a person does Elyashiv would review it, clarify, and continue to not do what is normal, he is considered negligent. edit it. But his ruling was based entirely on the ndings that Rav Morgenstern presented to him. Rav Elyashiv did not seek to determine the In Context relevant facts—he relied on Rav Morgenstern for that—but he was extremely careful in wording Was Rav Elyashiv taking issue with the doctors and the eventual halachic response that would be scientists who oppose vaccination? Was he dismiss- released in his name. ing the questions and concerns that doctors and scientists have been raising in recent years? When discussing medical issues, Rav Elyashiv unreserv- edly accepted Rav Morgenstern’s research—along with Certainly not. Although Rav Tatz’s correspondence Rav Morgenstern’s interpretation and presentation of is dated March 28, 2018, the exchange between the results of his research. In the case of vaccination, him and Rav Elyashiv actually took place approxi- Rav Morgenstern has been very open about his research mately twenty years earlier, in the 1990’s. and his conclusions—he views vaccines as being entirely safe and e ective, and a necessary public health In 1982, a documentary, measure. Rav Elyashiv’s statements to Rav Morgen- DPT:Vaccine Roulette stern must be viewed in this context. lmed by Lea ompson, was aired on American television and called the A Case Study safety of the DPT shot into question. e show Rabbi Akiva Tatz has also come forth with a ma’aseh featured a host of doctors Rav from Rav Elyashiv. (Rabbi Tatz recounts this story and scientists including on several occasions in recorded shiurim, one of which is Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, a entitled Dangerous erapy Risks in Medicine.) well-known American At the time, Rabbi (Dr.) Tatz was a physician practicing in pediatrician, and Dr. Gordon Stewart, a British Israel. A couple in his practice was unwilling to vaccinate epidemiologist and public health physician. Also their children. e speci c question was regarding the appearing were Dr. Edward Mortimer of the AAP, “meshuleshet,” or “triple vaccine,” namely, the shot given Dr. John Robbins of the FDA, and Dr. Alan for tetanus, pertussis, and diphtheria, known as the DPT Hinman, of the CDC. shot (forerunner of today’s DTaP shot).
30 • GedolimGedolim Letters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Rights, Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 29 From Rav Elyashiv, Mesorah Publications, 2013, pp. Although the disease is known to be potentially A book, A Shot in the Dark, by Harris Coulter and their other children. 305-6: fatal for small children, the parents feared side Non-vaccinating parents are “listening to their e ects from the shot. Harav Tatz brought the Barbara Loe Fisher, questioned the DPT shot as well; it was published in the United States in 1986, and doctors,” as Rav Elyashiv would have them do. Is it When a question was posed to Rav Elyashiv shailoh to Rav Elyashiv, who ruled that they must vaccinate. revised in 1991. is book was the rst major, well accurate to take Rav Elyashiv’s psak and use it as a regarding the permissibility of alternative medical documented critique of America's mass vaccination directive as to which doctors to follow—in practices…Rav Elyashiv did not answer, but America, in 2019—when it comes to vaccination? referred the question to his student Rav Dovid Rav Elyashiv explained his ruling: e parents’ system; it called for calling for safety reforms and the Morgenstern, an English speaker who is familiar obligation is based upon the fact that childhood human right to informed consent to vaccination. It seems that Rav Elyashiv’s psak is limited, in both with many medical matters. When Rav Morgen- vaccinations are a routine, medically accepted Barbara Loe Fisher was also a consumer and parent strictness and scope. stern concluded that the practices were forbidden convention. activist—she worked with Congress to secure vaccine out of concern for possible violation of the safety provisions in the historic National Childhood From Rav Elyashiv, Mesorah Publications, 2013, prohibitions of idolatry and following in the ways Rabbi Tatz quotes Rav Elyashiv: Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 and served as a consumer pp. 336: of the Emorites, Rav Elyashiv sat with him every representative on federal vaccine advisory and public week for several weeks and helped him carefully “Immunizing children in this generation is consid- engagement committees, including the National craft his halachic response in Rav Elyashiv’s name. ered normal and a Jew is obliged to do that which is …since [Rav Elyashiv] did not o er any back- Rav Morgenstern would come to Rav Elyashiv Vaccine Advisory Committee (1988-1991); the ground or sources for his answers, it is di cult to once a week to pose his questions, and during broadly normal in society.” Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Forum (1995- study, understand, or apply these answers to that time, he would present the response prepared 1998); and the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological circumstances other than the exact situation over the course of the previous week and Rav Rav Elyashiv went on to say that if a person does Products Advisory Committee (1999-2002). presented. His answers therefore could not be Elyashiv would review it, clarify, and continue to not do what is normal, he is considered negligent. construed as general halachic rulings for the edit it. But his ruling was based entirely on the us, in 1990, there was fear of the DPT in the public. ndings that Rav Morgenstern presented to him. United States and England, which is presumably why Rav Elyashiv did not seek to determine the In Context the parents in the above shailoh were hesitant to take Furthermore, Rav Elyashiv’s rulings were given relevant facts—he relied on Rav Morgenstern for But the fear was by no means widespread; very briey, in response to the precise way the that—but he was extremely careful in wording it. the Was Rav Elyashiv taking issue with the doctors and question was asked. Over the years many di er- the eventual halachic response that would be vast majority of parents in these countries either did scientists who oppose vaccination? Was he dismiss- ent and even conicting rulings have been released in his name. not notice the show and the book, or noticed it, but ing the questions and concerns that doctors and had their concerns immediately assuaged by their disseminated in Rav Elyashiv’s name, giving rise scientists have been raising in recent years? to the aphorism, “If two people ask Rav Elyashiv doctors. the same question, they will get two di erent When discussing medical issues, Rav Elyashiv unreserv- Certainly not. Although Rav Tatz’s correspondence answers. edly accepted Rav Morgenstern’s research—along with Back then, the doctors calling vaccine safety into is dated March 28, 2018, the exchange between Rav Morgenstern’s interpretation and presentation of question were few and far between. Vaccine safety was him and Rav Elyashiv actually took place approxi- the results of his research. In the case of vaccination, Rav Tatz was presenting a speci c question, in a Rav Morgenstern has been very open about his research mately twenty years earlier, in the 1990’s. gaining interest in academic, scienti c, and govern- and his conclusions—he views vaccines as being ment circles, but vaccine hesitancy within the general speci c manner. According to Rav Tatz’s data, there entirely safe and e ective, and a necessary public health In 1982, a documentary, populace was almost unheard of. was an element of risk to the DPT shot—a risk of 1 measure. Rav Elyashiv’s statements to Rav Morgen- DPT:Vaccine Roulette in 20,000 of damage or death from the shot—but stern must be viewed in this context. lmed by Lea ompson, Today, things have changed. Although the majority that risk was far outweighed by the risk posed by was aired on American of America’s parents choose to ignore the raised pertussis to small children and infants, which has a television and called the safety concerns and stories of vaccine injury that are mortality rate of 3-4 percent. e question posed A Case Study safety of the DPT shot circulating, all American parents have heard of was, did the parents have the right to refuse the into question. e show them. vaccination out of concern for the risk it entails? Rabbi Akiva Tatz has also come forth with a ma’aseh featured a host of doctors Rav from Rav Elyashiv. (Rabbi Tatz recounts this story and scientists including In America, there is a vocal group of credible us, Rav Elyashiv’s answer is applicable only to on several occasions in recorded shiurim, one of which is Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, a doctors—albeit a minority against the majority vaccines that conform to the way Rav Tatz entitled Dangerous erapy Risks in Medicine.) well-known American consensus—who encourage their patients not to presented the metzius when he asked the At the time, Rabbi (Dr.) Tatz was a physician practicing in pediatrician, and Dr. Gordon Stewart, a British vaccinate according to the government’s aggressive question—namely, vaccines that carry minimal Israel. A couple in his practice was unwilling to vaccinate epidemiologist and public health physician. Also schedule. ey number in the thousands. In addition, risks (a 1 in 20,000 chance is negligible hala- their children. e speci c question was regarding the appearing were Dr. Edward Mortimer of the AAP, hundreds of thousands of American parents choose chically), and that protect from diseases that can “meshuleshet,” or “triple vaccine,” namely, the shot given Dr. John Robbins of the FDA, and Dr. Alan not to vaccinate their children—either because they reasonably be classi ed as fatal. for tetanus, pertussis, and diphtheria, known as the DPT Hinman, of the CDC. have been taking the minority medical view into shot (forerunner of today’s DTaP shot). account, or because they have seen vaccine damage in Conversely, Rav Elyashiv never ruled on the ques-
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 29 GedolimGedolim Letters Letterson Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and andReligious Religious Freedom Freedom • 30• 31 Barbara Loe Fisher questioned the DPT shot as well; it diphtheria, known as the DPT shot (forerunner of Non-vaccinating parents are “listening to their tion of whether or not parents should administer a was published in the United States in 1986, and False Advertising today’s DTaP shot). doctors,” as Rav Elyashiv would have them do. Is it vaccine that has never been proven to be safe, or that is revised in 1991. is book was the rst major, well associated with a compelling risk of death or disability. accurate to take Rav Elyashiv’s psak and use it as a Rav Tatz has made known another exchange that a documented critique of America's mass vaccination Although the disease is known to be potentially directive as to which doctors to follow—in Nor was he asked to rule regarding vaccines that colleague of his had with Moreinu Hagaon Harav system calling for safety reforms and the human right fatal for small children, the parents feared side America, in 2019—when it comes to vaccination? protect against a benign condition that carries only a Chaim Kanievsky, in a private email, and in a to informed consent to vaccination. Barbara Loe e ects from the shot. Harav Tatz brought the It seems that Rav Elyashiv’s psak is limited, in both remote risk, or against diseases that Jewish children in public shiur. Fisher was also a consumer and parent activist—she shailoh to Rav Elyashiv who ruled that they must strictness and scope. civilized countries have little or no chance of contract- worked with Congress to secure vaccine safety provi- vaccinate. ing. Recently, the email that describes this exchange was sions in the historic National Childhood Vaccine From Rav Elyashiv, Mesorah Publications, 2013, published under a headline that read: Injury Act of 1986 and served as a consumer represen- Rav Elyashiv explained his ruling: e parents’ pp. 336: Rav Elyashiv’s response in the above speci c case has tative on federal vaccine advisory and public engage- “HaGaon HaRav Kanievsky Rule[s] at Immuni- obligation is based upon the fact that childhood been aggrandized by some to the point where they ment committees, including the National Vaccine zations are Obligatory.” vaccinations are a routine, medically accepted quote Rav Elyashiv as having obligated all parents “to Advisory Committee (1988-1991); the Institute of convention. vaccinate.” “To vaccinate” is left unquali ed, as if to Medicine Vaccine Safety Forum (1995-1998); and the say that Rav Elyashiv ruled that all parents must e background of the exchange is not given, and FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advi- details of the exact conversation are not given. Rabbi Tatz quotes Rav Elyashiv: vaccinate at all times, in all circumstances, and with all sory Committee (1999-2002). Rav Tatz reports on this exchange in a public shiur, available vaccines. entitled “Epidemics and Vaccinations (Torah):” “Immunizing children in this generation is consid- us, in 1990, there was fear of the DPT in the ered normal and a Jew is obliged to do that which is United States and England, which is presumably why broadly normal in society.” Careful Application I asked a colleague of mine, a very well the parents in the above shailoh were hesitant to take known surgical specialist in Israel, who it. But the fear was by no means widespread; the Rav Elyashiv went on to say that if a person does Rav Elyashiv, zatzal, did not leave us any written psak practices mainly in Bnei Brak, and who is vast majority of parents in these countries either did not do what is normal, he is considered negligent. or correspondence regarding vaccination. Reports of “close to Rav Chaim, to go and ask him his not notice the show and the book, or noticed it, but the above two exchanges came to light seven years opinion about vaccinations. So he went to had their concerns immediately assuaged by their after his passing, and this ruling on vaccination has ask him—this is recently, a couple of In Context doctors. not been corroborated by any other talmidim of Rav months ago—and Rav Chaim said that his Elyashiv. Regarding removing the unvaccinated from When discussing medical issues, Rav Elyashiv unre- family is all vaccinated, his grandchildren Back then, the doctors calling vaccine safety into public venues such as schools, such a policy was servedly accepted Rav Morgenstern’s research—along Was Rav Elyashiv taking issue with the doctors and are all immunized, and there is no ques- question were few and far between. Vaccine safety was unheard of in Yerushalayim during Rav Elyashiv’s with Rav Morgenstern’s interpretation and presenta- scientists who oppose vaccination? Was he dismiss- tion that this is an obligation. My friend ing the questions and concerns that doctors and gaining interest in academic, scienti c, and govern- lifetime. then asked him, “What should be done tion of the results of his research. In the case of vacci- ment circles, but vaccine hesitancy within the general nation, Rav Morgenstern has been very open about his scientists have been raising in recent years? Rav Tatz was presenting a speci c question, in a with parents who refuse to immunize their populace was almost unheard of. Rav Zilberstein is Rav Elyashiv’s son-in-law, and research and his conclusions—he views vaccines as speci c manner. According to Rav Tatz’s data, there children?” Rav Chaim said, with a bit of a regularly consulted with him. His seforim and teshuvos being entirely safe and e ective, and a necessary public Certainly not. Although Rav Tatz’s correspondence was an element of risk to the DPT shot—a risk of 1 twinkle, “ ey should be given ‘a guteh Today, things have changed. Although the majority of are lled with quotes from Rav Elyashiv. Rav Zilber- health measure. Rav Elyashiv’s statements to Rav is dated March 28, 2018, the exchange between in 20,000 of damage or death from the shot—but frask’ [a good slap]. America’s parents choose to ignore the raised safety stein views vaccination as an obligation (see below). Morgenstern must be viewed in this context. him and Rav Elyashiv actually took place approxi- that risk was far outweighed by the risk posed by mately twenty years earlier, in the 1990’s. concerns and stories of vaccine injury that are circulat- pertussis to small children and infants, which has a Nevertheless, mention of Rav Elyashiv’s position is Reports of exchanges such as these are important. ing, all American parents have heard of them. mortality rate of 3-4 percent. e question posed conspicuously absent from Rav Zilberstein’s teshuvos For example, it is instructive to know that Rav A Case Study In 1982, a documentary, DPT:Vaccine Roulette was, did the parents have the right to refuse the on the topic. Chaim encourages vaccination,” and that his grand- lmed by Lea ompson, was aired on American In America, there is a vocal group of credible vaccination out of concern for the risk it entails? children are vaccinated. But in all probability, Rav doctors—albeit a minority against the majority Rav Morgenstern’s and Rav Tatz’s exchanges with Rav Rabbi Akiva Tatz has also come forth with a ma’aseh television and called the safety of the DPT shot into Chaim merely told his petitioner, “Avadeh yeder consensus—who encourage their patients not to Elyashiv are important to know about. ey are Rav from Rav Elyashiv. (Rabbi Tatz recounts this story question. e show featured a host of doctors and us, Rav Elyashiv’s answer is applicable only to einer zohl nehmen chisunim meineh einiklach zehnen vaccinate according to the government’s aggressive certainly instructive. But care must be taken before on several occasions in recorded shiurim, one of which scientists including Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, a vaccines that conform to the way Rav Tatz alleh vaccineert! [“Certainly, everyone should schedule. ey number in the thousands. In addition, applying them as halachah le’mayseh in other cases, is entitled Dangerous erapy Risks in Medicine.) well-known American pediatrician, and Dr. presented the metzius when he asked the vaccinate! My grandchildren are all vaccinated!”] ese reports give us no Gordon Stewart, a British epidemiologist and hundreds of thousands of American parents choose question—namely, vaccines that carry minimal especially in America. not to vaccinate their children—either because they indication that Rav Elyashiv handed down a Somehow, Rav Chaim’s lighthearted comment, At the time, Rabbi (Dr.) Tatz was a physician practic- public health physician. Also appearing were Dr. risks (a 1 in 20,000 chance is negligible hala- have been taking the minority medical view into broad-ranging psak obligating everyone to vacci- “ ey should be given ‘a guteh frask’” was trans- ing in Israel. A couple in his practice was unwilling to Edward Mortimer of the AAP, Dr. John Robbins of chically), and that protect from diseases that can account, or because they have seen vaccine damage in nate according to modern-day vaccination sched- formed into a psak that “non-vaccinating parents vaccinate their children. e speci c question was the FDA, and Dr. Alan Hinman, of the CDC. reasonably be classi ed as fatal. their other children. ules. should be strongly corrected.” Rav Tatz apparently regarding the “meshuleshet,” or “triple vaccine,” namely, the shot given for tetanus, pertussis, and A book, A Shot in the Dark, by Harris Coulter and Conversely, Rav Elyashiv never ruled on the ques-
32 • Gedolim LettersGedolim on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Religious Rights, and Freedom Religious Freedom • 31 Barbara Loe Fisher questioned the DPT shot as well; it diphtheria, known as the DPT shot (forerunner of Non-vaccinating parents are “listening to their tion of whether or not parents should administer a felt that this is what Rav Chaim meant to say, and he was published in the United States in 1986, and False Advertising today’s DTaP shot). doctors,” as Rav Elyashiv would have them do. Is it vaccine that has never been proven to be safe, or that is communicated this to a private individual in a private attempt to protect the child from a potential future revised in 1991. is book was the rst major, well associated with a compelling risk of death or disability. email. (It is noteworthy that the written rst-hand accurate to take Rav Elyashiv’s psak and use it as a Rav Tatz has made known another exchange that a harm. documented critique of America's mass vaccination Although the disease is known to be potentially directive as to which doctors to follow—in Nor was he asked to rule regarding vaccines that colleague of his had with Moreinu Hagaon Harav testimony of Rav Eliezer Dunner—recorded above— system calling for safety reforms and the human right fatal for small children, the parents feared side America, in 2019—when it comes to vaccination? protect against a benign condition that carries only a Chaim Kanievsky, in a private email, and in a would indicate otherwise.) At any rate, it is discourag- To my mind, this claim is completely baseless, for to informed consent to vaccination. Barbara Loe e ects from the shot. Harav Tatz brought the It seems that Rav Elyashiv’s psak is limited, in both remote risk, or against diseases that Jewish children in public shiur. ing that this exchange has been trumpeted as a all of the scienti c studies that have been responsi- Fisher was also a consumer and parent activist—she bly conducted establish beyond the shadow of a shailoh to Rav Elyashiv who ruled that they must strictness and scope. civilized countries have little or no chance of contract- psak—an obligatory call to vaccinate. worked with Congress to secure vaccine safety provi- ing. Recently, the email that describes this exchange was doubt that whereas minor side e ects may occur, vaccinate. there is no prevalence at all of serious harm result- sions in the historic National Childhood Vaccine From Rav Elyashiv, Mesorah Publications, 2013, published under a headline that read: Rav Chaim’s “frask psak” was, fortunately, not taken in Injury Act of 1986 and served as a consumer represen- ing from vaccination. Furthermore, there are no Rav Elyashiv explained his ruling: e parents’ pp. 336: Rav Elyashiv’s response in the above speci c case has the literal sense. But it may have been generally deaths that have been absolutely proven to have tative on federal vaccine advisory and public engage- “HaGaon HaRav Kanievsky Rule[s] at Immuni- obligation is based upon the fact that childhood been aggrandized by some to the point where they misunderstood. It is possible that Rav Chaim meant to been caused by vaccination, whereas hundreds of ment committees, including the National Vaccine zations are Obligatory.” vaccinations are a routine, medically accepted quote Rav Elyashiv as having obligated all parents “to give over an opposite message: millions of children have been routinely vaccinated Advisory Committee (1988-1991); the Institute of convention. vaccinate.” “To vaccinate” is left unquali ed, as if to [with no negative results]. Medicine Vaccine Safety Forum (1995-1998); and the say that Rav Elyashiv ruled that all parents must e background of the exchange is not given, and Parents should certainly be turning to da’as Torah to FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advi- vaccinate at all times, in all circumstances, and with all details of the exact conversation are not given. know what to do for their own children when it comes On the other hand, as the number of unvaccinated Rabbi Tatz quotes Rav Elyashiv: Rav Tatz reports on this exchange in a public shiur, sory Committee (1999-2002). available vaccines. to the confusing and frightening decision of vaccina- children increases within a population, the danger entitled “Epidemics and Vaccinations (Torah):” increases as well. If masses of people will forgo “Immunizing children in this generation is consid- tion. But it is not any parent’s responsibility to educate us, in 1990, there was fear of the DPT in the vaccination, there is the danger that great plagues ered normal and a Jew is obliged to do that which is or coerce other parents into the “correct” vaccination will break out and cause widespread death, as was United States and England, which is presumably why broadly normal in society.” Careful Application I asked a colleague of mine, a very well policy to follow. Rav Chaim perhaps meant to tell his the case in the era before vaccination. the parents in the above shailoh were hesitant to take known surgical specialist in Israel, who petitioner, in his inimitable manner, “Are these other it. But the fear was by no means widespread; the Rav Elyashiv went on to say that if a person does Rav Elyashiv, zatzal, did not leave us any written psak practices mainly in Bnei Brak, and who is parents under your jurisdiction?” vast majority of parents in these countries either did not do what is normal, he is considered negligent. or correspondence regarding vaccination. Reports of “close to Rav Chaim, to go and ask him his not notice the show and the book, or noticed it, but the above two exchanges came to light seven years opinion about vaccinations. So he went to had their concerns immediately assuaged by their after his passing, and this ruling on vaccination has ask him—this is recently, a couple of Harav Asher Weiss In Context doctors. not been corroborated by any other talmidim of Rav months ago—and Rav Chaim said that his Elyashiv. Regarding removing the unvaccinated from Several other poskim chashuvim in Eretz Yisrael have When discussing medical issues, Rav Elyashiv unre- family is all vaccinated, his grandchildren Back then, the doctors calling vaccine safety into public venues such as schools, such a policy was taken a strong stance that parents are obligated to servedly accepted Rav Morgenstern’s research—along Was Rav Elyashiv taking issue with the doctors and are all immunized, and there is no ques- question were few and far between. Vaccine safety was unheard of in Yerushalayim during Rav Elyashiv’s vaccinate their children. In all cases, their rulings are with Rav Morgenstern’s interpretation and presenta- scientists who oppose vaccination? Was he dismiss- tion that this is an obligation. My friend gaining interest in academic, scienti c, and govern- lifetime. also based on the mandate to keep oneself healthy, and tion of the results of his research. In the case of vacci- ing the questions and concerns that doctors and then asked him, “What should be done ment circles, but vaccine hesitancy within the general to protect oneself from danger, and on the conven- nation, Rav Morgenstern has been very open about his scientists have been raising in recent years? Rav Tatz was presenting a speci c question, in a with parents who refuse to immunize their populace was almost unheard of. Rav Zilberstein is Rav Elyashiv’s son-in-law, and tional beliefs regarding vaccination. research and his conclusions—he views vaccines as speci c manner. According to Rav Tatz’s data, there children?” Rav Chaim said, with a bit of a regularly consulted with him. His seforim and teshuvos being entirely safe and e ective, and a necessary public Certainly not. Although Rav Tatz’s correspondence was an element of risk to the DPT shot—a risk of 1 twinkle, “ ey should be given ‘a guteh Today, things have changed. Although the majority of are lled with quotes from Rav Elyashiv. Rav Zilber- Machon Minchas Asher publishes Harav Asher Weiss’s health measure. Rav Elyashiv’s statements to Rav is dated March 28, 2018, the exchange between in 20,000 of damage or death from the shot—but frask’ [a good slap]. him and Rav Elyashiv actually took place approxi- America’s parents choose to ignore the raised safety that risk was far outweighed by the risk posed by stein views vaccination as an obligation (see below). halachic discourses. In Vayechi 5779, the article, “Im Morgenstern must be viewed in this context. Mutar Lehimana Mei’chisun Yeladim—May One mately twenty years earlier, in the 1990’s. concerns and stories of vaccine injury that are circulat- pertussis to small children and infants, which has a Nevertheless, mention of Rav Elyashiv’s position is Reports of exchanges such as these are important. Eschew Childhood Vaccinations?” was printed. Rav ing, all American parents have heard of them. mortality rate of 3-4 percent. e question posed conspicuously absent from Rav Zilberstein’s teshuvos For example, it is instructive to know that Rav Weiss bases the obligation to vaccinate on the mandate In 1982, a documentary, DPT:Vaccine Roulette was, did the parents have the right to refuse the on the topic. Chaim encourages vaccination,” and that his grand- A Case Study that we keep ourselves clear of danger. lmed by Lea ompson, was aired on American In America, there is a vocal group of credible vaccination out of concern for the risk it entails? children are vaccinated. But in all probability, Rav doctors—albeit a minority against the majority Rav Morgenstern’s and Rav Tatz’s exchanges with Rav Rabbi Akiva Tatz has also come forth with a ma’aseh television and called the safety of the DPT shot into Chaim merely told his petitioner, “Avadeh yeder consensus—who encourage their patients not to Elyashiv are important to know about. ey are Rav Weiss states: Rav from Rav Elyashiv. (Rabbi Tatz recounts this story question. e show featured a host of doctors and us, Rav Elyashiv’s answer is applicable only to einer zohl nehmen chisunim meineh einiklach zehnen vaccinate according to the government’s aggressive certainly instructive. But care must be taken before on several occasions in recorded shiurim, one of which scientists including Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, a vaccines that conform to the way Rav Tatz alleh vaccineert! [“Certainly, everyone should schedule. ey number in the thousands. In addition, applying them as halachah le’mayseh in other cases, is entitled Dangerous erapy Risks in Medicine.) well-known American pediatrician, and Dr. presented the metzius when he asked the vaccinate! My grandchildren are all vaccinated!”] ese reports give us no Gordon Stewart, a British epidemiologist and hundreds of thousands of American parents choose question—namely, vaccines that carry minimal especially in America. us, it is elementary that one is obligated to not to vaccinate their children—either because they indication that Rav Elyashiv handed down a Somehow, Rav Chaim’s lighthearted comment, vaccinate one’s children to protect them from At the time, Rabbi (Dr.) Tatz was a physician practic- public health physician. Also appearing were Dr. risks (a 1 in 20,000 chance is negligible hala- have been taking the minority medical view into broad-ranging psak obligating everyone to vacci- “ ey should be given ‘a guteh frask’” was trans- terrible diseases. Yet there are those who claim that ing in Israel. A couple in his practice was unwilling to Edward Mortimer of the AAP, Dr. John Robbins of chically), and that protect from diseases that can account, or because they have seen vaccine damage in nate according to modern-day vaccination sched- formed into a psak that “non-vaccinating parents since vaccination may itself cause damage, it is not vaccinate their children. e speci c question was the FDA, and Dr. Alan Hinman, of the CDC. reasonably be classi ed as fatal. their other children. ules. should be strongly corrected.” Rav Tatz apparently defensible to in ict a direct harm on the child in an regarding the “meshuleshet,” or “triple vaccine,” namely, the shot given for tetanus, pertussis, and A book, A Shot in the Dark, by Harris Coulter and Conversely, Rav Elyashiv never ruled on the ques-
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 31 GedolimGedolim Letters Letterson Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and andReligious Religious Freedom Freedom • 32• 33 Harav Weiss informs us how he views the metzius in The Shulchan Aruch is clear; if a Jew can access medical order for us to understand the formulation of his psak. help, he must do so, and take advantage of the modern It is important to note, however, that the facts that he medical advances available to him in his generation. sets forth are controversial, speci cally: The fact that Rav Zilberstein saw t to remind the public of this halachah is indicative of an underlying • That the safety studies performed by the pharmaceu- criticism that is often directed at parents who choose tical companies were responsibly conducted, not to vaccinate, namely, that they mistrust doctors, and hold a worldview that eschews taking advantage of • That there are no responsibly conducted studies that modern medicine. call the safety of any vaccine into question, In America this charge is unfounded. Non- • That no serious harm or deaths have been proven to vaccinating parents are not fearful of modern medi- have resulted from vaccination, and, cine. They consult doctors. In fact, by and large, their hesitation to vaccinate comes from their willing • That we are in danger of returning to an era of submission to standard medical protocol. They do not widespread death-through-plagues if vaccination have to be told to go to the doctor. They have gone, levels fall. have had an unsettling or damaging experience, and have gone for a second opinion. Their subsequent Our Gedolim in America do not view these four facts views were formed based on their experience and as a given reality, based on their discussions with the research, and their consultations with experienced and American doctors and scientists with whom they have licensed conventional MDs and accredited scientists. conferred. Irony Harav Yitzchok Zilberstein Although the above letter from Harav Zilberstein’s has Another strong proponent of vaccination is Harav been misconstrued, the fact remains that in many Yitzchok Zilberstein, shlita. Harav Zilberstein, like his other public statements Harav Zilberstein has taken a father-in-law Rav Elyashiv, is prone to being taken out very strong position and views vaccination as a Torah of context. obligation.
A letter from Harav Zilberstein was recently publicized Harav Zilberstein further ruled on the same shailoh in several venues, appearing with the headline: “Who- that Rav Chaim Kanievsky ruled on. In one shul there ever is not vaccinated is a murderer.” were two mispallelim—one of whom was unvacci- nated, and one of whom was immunocompromised. Rav Zilberstein’s letter quotes the Shulchan Aruch: Can the unvaccinated mispallel be told to leave? Rav Zilberstein argued on Rav Chaim Kanievsky, and נתנה התורה רשות לרופא לרפאות ומצוה היא ובכלל gave forth an opposite psak: The unvaccinated person פקוח נפש הוא ואם מונע עצמו הרי זה שופך דמים can be forced to leave. The above halachah is referring to doctors, not to patients. The Shulchan Aruch is saying that if a doctor The ruling is recorded in an article in Yated Ne’eman, withholds medical treatment, he is a murderer (see from July, 2019. Furthermore, Rav Zilberstein is Beis Yoseph). quoted as saying—
Undoubtedly, Rav Zilberstein meant to impress upon the tzibur that going to the doctor is a very stringent Vaccinating is a simple matter and medical professionals in every country maintain that it halachic imperative—for the doctor, and for the causes virtually no harm and that it is necessary to patient as well. But the headline above the letter is receive vaccinations, which is also the view of the patently incorrect, and is reminiscent of a sensational- Gedolei Yisroel. ist tabloid headline.
34 • GedolimGedolim Letters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and ReligiousRights, and Freedom Religious Freedom • 33 e observant Harav Weiss informs us how he views the metzius in The Shulchan Aruch is clear; if a Jew can access medical reader will note order for us to understand the formulation of his psak. help, he must do so, and take advantage of the modern It is important to note, however, that the facts that he medical advances available to him in his generation. the advertisement sets forth are controversial, speci cally: The fact that Rav Zilberstein saw t to remind the that appeared public of this halachah is indicative of an underlying alongside Harav • That the safety studies performed by the pharmaceu- criticism that is often directed at parents who choose Zilberstein’s quote tical companies were responsibly conducted, not to vaccinate, namely, that they mistrust doctors, in the Yated—a and hold a worldview that eschews taking advantage of chanukas habayis • That there are no responsibly conducted studies that modern medicine. was being graced call the safety of any vaccine into question, by “the In America this charge is unfounded. Non- Gedolim”—Rav • That no serious harm or deaths have been proven to vaccinating parents are not fearful of modern medi- Malkiel, Rav have resulted from vaccination, and, cine. They consult doctors. In fact, by and large, their Shmuel, and Rav hesitation to vaccinate comes from their willing Elya Ber! • That we are in danger of returning to an era of submission to standard medical protocol. They do not widespread death-through-plagues if vaccination have to be told to go to the doctor. They have gone, e irony is levels fall. have had an unsettling or damaging experience, and almost too great have gone for a second opinion. Their subsequent to bear. Our Gedolim in America do not view these four facts views were formed based on their experience and as a given reality, based on their discussions with the research, and their consultations with experienced and American doctors and scientists with whom they have licensed conventional MDs and accredited scientists. conferred. Irony Harav Yitzchok Zilberstein Although the above letter from Harav Zilberstein’s has Another strong proponent of vaccination is Harav been misconstrued, the fact remains that in many Yitzchok Zilberstein, shlita. Harav Zilberstein, like his other public statements Harav Zilberstein has taken a father-in-law Rav Elyashiv, is prone to being taken out very strong position and views vaccination as a Torah of context. obligation.
A letter from Harav Zilberstein was recently publicized Harav Zilberstein further ruled on the same shailoh in several venues, appearing with the headline: “Who- that Rav Chaim Kanievsky ruled on. In one shul there ever is not vaccinated is a murderer.” were two mispallelim—one of whom was unvacci- nated, and one of whom was immunocompromised. Rav Zilberstein’s letter quotes the Shulchan Aruch: Can the unvaccinated mispallel be told to leave? Rav Zilberstein argued on Rav Chaim Kanievsky, and נתנה התורה רשות לרופא לרפאות ומצוה היא ובכלל gave forth an opposite psak: The unvaccinated person פקוח נפש הוא ואם מונע עצמו הרי זה שופך דמים can be forced to leave. The above halachah is referring to doctors, not to patients. The Shulchan Aruch is saying that if a doctor The ruling is recorded in an article in Yated Ne’eman, withholds medical treatment, he is a murderer (see from July, 2019. Furthermore, Rav Zilberstein is Beis Yoseph). quoted as saying—
Undoubtedly, Rav Zilberstein meant to impress upon the tzibur that going to the doctor is a very stringent Vaccinating is a simple matter and medical professionals in every country maintain that it halachic imperative—for the doctor, and for the causes virtually no harm and that it is necessary to patient as well. But the headline above the letter is receive vaccinations, which is also the view of the patently incorrect, and is reminiscent of a sensational- Gedolei Yisroel. ist tabloid headline.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 33 Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 35 Rav Zilberstein has written several written teshuvos on the topic of vaccination. Like Rav Asher Weiss’s, they Dr. Alvin Moss the shots may carry great risks. Rav Malkiel asked of his, a talmid chochom of stature. Rav Shmuel’s are entirely based on the view that vaccination shots are Part 4: have come forward and reported their experiences, and believe that in medical issues we “go bosor healthy unvaccinated children cannot be said to by their own observations. Harav Shternbuch for his opinion regarding the rov”—i.e., we follow the majority of opinions. talmid wrote a detailed “teshuvah keneged”, be in a situation of yesh sakanah be’foneinu. e reasonably safe, and a universally recognized necessity. In the beginning of the teshuvah the author states his • I’m not here as anti-vaccine or pro-vaccine—I alarming situation in America where thousands of But the Shulchan Aruch—based on a clear endorsed by Rav Shmuel, analyzing Rav author bases this on the Noda Be’Yehudah, and Nowhere does Rav Zilberstein classify non-vaccinating intention to keep away from the science and to focus Eretz Yisrael and America believe it’s a matter of discussion; I believe it’s a • They give credence to the testimony of parents children have been sent home from their chadorim Gemara— rules unequivocally, that we do not Shternbuch’s psak. the Chasam Sofer. parents as rod m. on Harav Shternbuch’s presentation of the halachah. matter of getting informed just the way you’re who have come forward with reports of vaccine due to the fact that they are not vaccinated. follow a majority opinion in cases of sakanas He was apparently unable to keep to this restriction. here, today, getting informed. injuries; nefashos. As regards health matters we ‘go lekula’ e talmid begins: • Harav Shternbuch makes it clear that according to Later in the teshuvah he comments shortly on the [In Rav Shternbuch’s letter he mentions that Rav (safeik nefashos le’kula) and we do not ‘go bosor the Shulchan Aruch, when a group of doctors are science that Harav Shternbuch’s ruling was based on, • I became interested in the vaccine issue because of • They dismiss the notion that ‘correlation does not Malkiel told him that approximately 2,000 children rov’ (lo azlinan bosor ruba. ‘Lekula’ in this case of the opinion that something is dangerous, we rect assumption that what is true for one vaccine speci cally, that unvaccinated children are considered my eld of medical ethics. In medical ethics, we‘re prove causation.’ According to their da’as Torah, are out of school.] means that any safety concern, even the concern must abide by their opinion, even in the face of a Diverse Perspectives is true for all. is can lead to many other mistakes. in a sakanah, because the mortality rate from measles very concerned about con icts of interest. Con- correlation is a reason to suspect causation, of a minority opinion, overrides all other majority opinion that views this behavior as safe. is 1 in 1,000. For the most part, there is no halachic argument Dr Bob Sears icts of interest can unconsciously and uninten- until proven otherwise. Harav Shternbuch sent back a detailed teshuvah concerns, such that we are meikil on Shabbos and In the case of vaccination, however, we are dealing To be clear: Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Elya tionally lead physicians to make judgments that addressing Rav Malkiel’s points. Yom Kippur). Thus, as Rav Malkiel informed with a double-edged sakanah. Even if we are to regarding vaccination. e argument revolves around e author points out that according to current Ber and Rav Shmuel believe the metzius • I have talked to thousands of families whose are in favor of a pharmaceutical company as • They state some personal observations: him, since there exists a minority of doctors who accept the opinion of the doctors that vaccination di erences of opinions as to what the metzius is. ere government information in America (from the CDC) children have su ered very serious, severe vaccine opposed to going against it. e teshuvah’s conclusion is that parents are obligated claim that the shots are not safe, they must be injections are dangerous, we have doctors on the are four pivotal questions regarding the scienti c to be that vaccination has been shown to mortality rates from measles, historically, range reactions. o In times past, parents were not frightened or to vaccinate their children, and that vaccinating taken into account. other side who believe that being unvaccinated is reality: carry serious risk and that unvaccinated between 1 in 2,000, to 1 in 7,000. children do not pose a serious risk to Robert Krakow, attorney anxious about measles; parents in schools are within their rights to demand dangerous. Since there is a sakanah on both sides, • I want to give you my experience and show you a that unvaccinated children be barred from attendance. Rav Shternbuch writes, however, that the majority we revert back to the general halachic rule that we • Does any given disease that we vaccinate against This rate may be even lower. The CDC provides data others. Consequently, parents are not lot of science from the Centers for Disease Con- • I’ve devoted the last 15 years of my career—a 40 o Polio was a frightening concern, but cases Nevertheless, the scope of the psak is limited: of doctors claim that allowing a child to remain follow the majority opinion. e Machatzis pose a serious and life-threatening risk to our from the period before the introduction of the measles obligated to vaccinate their children, trol, and the FDA, that discuss the risks of year career—to handling vaccine injury cases. I were few and far between. Epidemics of polio unvaccinated is also a sakanah; thus there is a Hashekel, however, rules that in such a case shev children, or is it relatively benign? In other words, vaccine in 1963. During that time the CDC reports parents cannot be coerced into vaccination—because there are risks. can attest that vaccine injury is real. It happens never decimated entire populations. • The psak is only discussing vaccinating against sakanah on both sides of the equation. (I.e., a ve’al ta’aseh adif—the matter remains a safek, and statistically, can it be classi ed as a “killer,” or not? that 3 – 4 million people per year contracted measles every day, it happens to children, and it can measles. Furthermore, Rav Shternbuch communi- majority of doctors claim that the shot is safe and it is better to be passive and let things run their vaccination, and mosdos may not exclude in the United States, and that the mortality rate • I, and this small panel here today, are not the only happen, and has happened, from the MMR o Before the advent of vaccinations—in the cated verbally that his psak is only relevant at the that being unvaccinated is a sakanah; while the course, than to do something with our own • Is any given vaccine reasonably safe, or potentially unvaccinated children (in the absence of averaged 432 per year. (See doctors who feel this way… ere are doctors all vaccine. 1950’s— SIDS was unheard of. time of a measles outbreak. minority claim that being unvaccinated poses no hands. harmful (and severely so for a subset of the popu- compelling legal issues). https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html). lation)? over the world that agree that vaccines carry risks. danger, and the shots present a sakanah.) at being • I regularly hear from the expert doctors who • They believe that although a preponderance of • Rav Shternbuch’s psak is based on the medical the case, we would revert to the standard Torah In other words, according to Harav Moshe Shtern- Our Gedolim are acting on information that they 3 million cases with 432 deaths yields a figure of 1 out • Does a child who is unvaccinated for any given • The pharmaceutical companies have not really testify for my clients, doctors view vaccination as a necessity, they might information that he received from the doctor(s) principle that we follow the majority. buch, if a group of doctors—even two—will come have received from credible doctors and scientists, of 7,000; 4 million cases with 432 deaths yields 1 in disease pose a signi cant, direct health threat to done the right kind of safety research. When a not constitute a “rov dei’os.” Among the experts in that he consulted: forward and present their opinion that vaccination on rst-hand information that they have heard from over 9,000. those around him, or not? company conducts a study to determine if a • The Vaccine Act passed in 1986 stipulated that immunology and vaccinology there may be a • Rav Shternbuch notes, based on what he heard could lead to a sakanah, we would be obligated to parents who have seen serious adverse reactions in vaccine is safe there is no placebo group…they the existence of this program [Vaccine Injury mi’ut against a mi’ut, encouraging vaccination, or o Rav Shternbuch’s information was that out of from the Brisker Rov, zatzal, that we must not listen to their opinion. e mandate of their children, and on personal observation. But that is not the full statistical picture because not don’t study children who receive the vaccine Program] must be publicized. Why isn’t it? cautioning against it, with no discernible rov. is every 1,000 cases of measles, one will prove fatal. only consider the mortality rate of measles but ve’nishmartem me’od le'nafshoseichem would then • Does the presence of a population of unvacci- everyone gets the measles. e risk of being unvacci- against children who did not receive the vaccine. Because if people would be focused on forums like is because most doctors are simply following the also the long term negative e ects, such as brain shift, and would disallow vaccination. nated individuals in a community compromise nated is to risk catching the measles, and then to risk at is very unscienti c. this—devoted to discussing vaccine injury—that medical establishment’s convention, and relying o Rav Shternbuch’s information was that unvacci- damage, that can develop after years. While Rav the community’s safety in a signi cant manner, or dying from the measles. In other words, we need to American Gedolim Meet the might deter people from getting vaccines. nated children pose a direct threat to other not? on the information that the government agencies Shternbuch does not mention it, clearly the same Harav Shternbuch was making the following calculate the measles deaths against the population Dr. Chris Shaw children. us, by bringing an unvaccinated child provide. ey have not formulated independent would also apply when considering the safety (or point—since there is a majority opinion that the numbers, not against measles cases. ese are matters of scienti c studies and statistical Doctors e Staten Island meeting was perhaps the largest opinions. to school, the non-vaccinating parent subjects lack thereof) of the shots—we must consider long state of being unvaccinated is the greater sakanah, • Aluminum is not good for your body…You don’t meeting between Rabbonim and doctors, but it was other children to a safek sakanas nefashos. term e ects that can develop undetected over the and we face a sakanah either way, we should revert ndings. e halachah ows naturally from the In the winter of 2018, a meeting was held in Staten The “Vital Statistics Rates in the United States 1940- want aluminum in any form, but you really don’t by no means the rst or the last. Our Gedolim have years. to the rule that we find “in all areas of Torah law” to answers. Island bringing together over forty Rabbonim to hear 1960” is available for download on the CDC website. want the aluminum that’s in vaccines because it met with numerous other doctors and experts. • Rav Shternbuch states that his ruling is only follow the majority. (See the halchah chapter for testimony from a panel of ve professionals: two Rav Moshe Shternbuch On page 547-8 (a pdf reader will count this as p. has very di erent kinetics when it goes into your intended for Eretz Yisrael. He is not claiming the further halachic discussion, and for the view of Of utmost importance is to stress that the rst three doctors, two scientists, and a lawyer. Reb Malkiel and 553-4) the measles death rate in the United States is body by injection. During the measles outbreak of 2018, given all of the authority to rule for America; rather, the Ameri- Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Harav of the above questions are assessments that need to Reb Elya Ber were there, as were three out of the four For the American Olam 1.7 per 100,000 in 1941, goes down to 0.3 in 1953, individually for every disease and its reports coming in from Gedolim and poskim in Eretz can Gedolim must rule for America—based on Wosner.) be made Beth Medrash Govoha poskim. Ein La’dayan Ello Mah and down to 0.2 most years from then on, up to and vaccine. • For a scientist in a medical school to question a Yisrael, Rav Malkiel reached out to Moreinu Hagaon what the doctors in America are saying. It was Rav Malkiel who “commissioned” Rav Chickenpox (varicella) is a far cry from including 1960. vaccine ingredient is not a very popular position Harav Moshe Shternbuch, an elder dayan on the Shternbuch’s psak, which was sent to Rav Malkiel Two primary points of the teshuvah keneged: polio. Hepatitis B is not a contagious disease; it is Here are some excerpts from the introductory remarks She’einov Ro’os to take. But my view is that this is where the Badatz of the Eidah Chareidis of Yerushalayim. Harav Shternbuch’s psak yields several very impor- pursuant to their verbal discussion. blood-borne. Diphtheria is an almost unknown of that four hour meeting, where these medical, 0.2 per 100,000 of is 1 out of 500,0000. science needs to go…I can speak to the area of In addition to being open to the views of all Rav Malkiel spoke with Harav Shternbuch about tant halachic points. Rav Malkiel and Rav Shmuel reviewed the psak • Unvaccinated children are not considered to be in disease, and the vaccine for it may only protect the scienti c, and legal professionals introduce themselves aluminum toxicity and to the impact of alumi- doctors—both those who encourage vaccination, and developments in America, specifically the growing carefully, as did Rav Elya Ber. a situation of sakanah. is is certainly true when vaccinated child from becoming sick—but the child and present their credentials. Keeping Away From the can still transmit the virus to others. Lumping all num in the nervous system. those who caution against it—the Gedolim’s views are movement of doctors and scientists who are question- • Harav Shternbuch does away with a common there is no outbreak in any given geographical vaccines together as one group leads to the incor- informed by the rst-hand accounts of parents who ing vaccination, and who are pointing to the fact that halachic misconception: Many people erroneously Rav Shmuel discussed the matter with a close talmid area. But even when measles is present in the area, Science
36 • GedolimGedolim Letters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Rights,Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 34 Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 35 Rav Zilberstein has written several written teshuvos on the topic of vaccination. Like Rav Asher Weiss’s, they Dr. Alvin Moss the shots may carry great risks. Rav Malkiel asked of his, a talmid chochom of stature. Rav Shmuel’s are entirely based on the view that vaccination shots are Part 4: have come forward and reported their experiences, and believe that in medical issues we “go bosor healthy unvaccinated children cannot be said to by their own observations. Harav Shternbuch for his opinion regarding the rov”—i.e., we follow the majority of opinions. talmid wrote a detailed “teshuvah keneged”, be in a situation of yesh sakanah be’foneinu. e reasonably safe, and a universally recognized necessity. In the beginning of the teshuvah the author states his • I’m not here as anti-vaccine or pro-vaccine—I alarming situation in America where thousands of But the Shulchan Aruch—based on a clear endorsed by Rav Shmuel, analyzing Rav author bases this on the Noda Be’Yehudah, and Nowhere does Rav Zilberstein classify non-vaccinating intention to keep away from the science and to focus Eretz Yisrael and America believe it’s a matter of discussion; I believe it’s a • They give credence to the testimony of parents children have been sent home from their chadorim Gemara— rules unequivocally, that we do not Shternbuch’s psak. the Chasam Sofer. parents as rod m. on Harav Shternbuch’s presentation of the halachah. matter of getting informed just the way you’re who have come forward with reports of vaccine due to the fact that they are not vaccinated. follow a majority opinion in cases of sakanas He was apparently unable to keep to this restriction. here, today, getting informed. injuries; nefashos. As regards health matters we ‘go lekula’ e talmid begins: • Harav Shternbuch makes it clear that according to Later in the teshuvah he comments shortly on the [In Rav Shternbuch’s letter he mentions that Rav (safeik nefashos le’kula) and we do not ‘go bosor the Shulchan Aruch, when a group of doctors are science that Harav Shternbuch’s ruling was based on, • I became interested in the vaccine issue because of • They dismiss the notion that ‘correlation does not Malkiel told him that approximately 2,000 children rov’ (lo azlinan bosor ruba. ‘Lekula’ in this case of the opinion that something is dangerous, we rect assumption that what is true for one vaccine speci cally, that unvaccinated children are considered my eld of medical ethics. In medical ethics, we‘re prove causation.’ According to their da’as Torah, are out of school.] means that any safety concern, even the concern must abide by their opinion, even in the face of a Diverse Perspectives is true for all. is can lead to many other mistakes. in a sakanah, because the mortality rate from measles very concerned about con icts of interest. Con- correlation is a reason to suspect causation, of a minority opinion, overrides all other majority opinion that views this behavior as safe. is 1 in 1,000. For the most part, there is no halachic argument Dr Bob Sears icts of interest can unconsciously and uninten- until proven otherwise. Harav Shternbuch sent back a detailed teshuvah concerns, such that we are meikil on Shabbos and In the case of vaccination, however, we are dealing To be clear: Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Elya tionally lead physicians to make judgments that addressing Rav Malkiel’s points. Yom Kippur). Thus, as Rav Malkiel informed with a double-edged sakanah. Even if we are to regarding vaccination. e argument revolves around e author points out that according to current Ber and Rav Shmuel believe the metzius • I have talked to thousands of families whose are in favor of a pharmaceutical company as • They state some personal observations: him, since there exists a minority of doctors who accept the opinion of the doctors that vaccination di erences of opinions as to what the metzius is. ere government information in America (from the CDC) children have su ered very serious, severe vaccine opposed to going against it. e teshuvah’s conclusion is that parents are obligated claim that the shots are not safe, they must be injections are dangerous, we have doctors on the are four pivotal questions regarding the scienti c to be that vaccination has been shown to mortality rates from measles, historically, range reactions. o In times past, parents were not frightened or to vaccinate their children, and that vaccinating taken into account. other side who believe that being unvaccinated is reality: carry serious risk and that unvaccinated between 1 in 2,000, to 1 in 7,000. children do not pose a serious risk to Robert Krakow, attorney anxious about measles; parents in schools are within their rights to demand dangerous. Since there is a sakanah on both sides, • I want to give you my experience and show you a that unvaccinated children be barred from attendance. Rav Shternbuch writes, however, that the majority we revert back to the general halachic rule that we • Does any given disease that we vaccinate against This rate may be even lower. The CDC provides data others. Consequently, parents are not lot of science from the Centers for Disease Con- • I’ve devoted the last 15 years of my career—a 40 o Polio was a frightening concern, but cases Nevertheless, the scope of the psak is limited: of doctors claim that allowing a child to remain follow the majority opinion. e Machatzis pose a serious and life-threatening risk to our from the period before the introduction of the measles obligated to vaccinate their children, trol, and the FDA, that discuss the risks of year career—to handling vaccine injury cases. I were few and far between. Epidemics of polio unvaccinated is also a sakanah; thus there is a Hashekel, however, rules that in such a case shev children, or is it relatively benign? In other words, vaccine in 1963. During that time the CDC reports parents cannot be coerced into vaccination—because there are risks. can attest that vaccine injury is real. It happens never decimated entire populations. • The psak is only discussing vaccinating against sakanah on both sides of the equation. (I.e., a ve’al ta’aseh adif—the matter remains a safek, and statistically, can it be classi ed as a “killer,” or not? that 3 – 4 million people per year contracted measles every day, it happens to children, and it can measles. Furthermore, Rav Shternbuch communi- majority of doctors claim that the shot is safe and it is better to be passive and let things run their vaccination, and mosdos may not exclude in the United States, and that the mortality rate • I, and this small panel here today, are not the only happen, and has happened, from the MMR o Before the advent of vaccinations—in the cated verbally that his psak is only relevant at the that being unvaccinated is a sakanah; while the course, than to do something with our own • Is any given vaccine reasonably safe, or potentially unvaccinated children (in the absence of averaged 432 per year. (See doctors who feel this way… ere are doctors all vaccine. 1950’s— SIDS was unheard of. time of a measles outbreak. minority claim that being unvaccinated poses no hands. harmful (and severely so for a subset of the popu- compelling legal issues). https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html). lation)? over the world that agree that vaccines carry risks. danger, and the shots present a sakanah.) at being • I regularly hear from the expert doctors who • They believe that although a preponderance of • Rav Shternbuch’s psak is based on the medical the case, we would revert to the standard Torah In other words, according to Harav Moshe Shtern- Our Gedolim are acting on information that they 3 million cases with 432 deaths yields a figure of 1 out • Does a child who is unvaccinated for any given • The pharmaceutical companies have not really testify for my clients, doctors view vaccination as a necessity, they might information that he received from the doctor(s) principle that we follow the majority. buch, if a group of doctors—even two—will come have received from credible doctors and scientists, of 7,000; 4 million cases with 432 deaths yields 1 in disease pose a signi cant, direct health threat to done the right kind of safety research. When a not constitute a “rov dei’os.” Among the experts in that he consulted: forward and present their opinion that vaccination on rst-hand information that they have heard from over 9,000. those around him, or not? company conducts a study to determine if a • The Vaccine Act passed in 1986 stipulated that immunology and vaccinology there may be a • Rav Shternbuch notes, based on what he heard could lead to a sakanah, we would be obligated to parents who have seen serious adverse reactions in vaccine is safe there is no placebo group…they the existence of this program [Vaccine Injury mi’ut against a mi’ut, encouraging vaccination, or o Rav Shternbuch’s information was that out of from the Brisker Rov, zatzal, that we must not listen to their opinion. e mandate of their children, and on personal observation. But that is not the full statistical picture because not don’t study children who receive the vaccine Program] must be publicized. Why isn’t it? cautioning against it, with no discernible rov. is every 1,000 cases of measles, one will prove fatal. only consider the mortality rate of measles but ve’nishmartem me’od le'nafshoseichem would then • Does the presence of a population of unvacci- everyone gets the measles. e risk of being unvacci- against children who did not receive the vaccine. Because if people would be focused on forums like is because most doctors are simply following the also the long term negative e ects, such as brain shift, and would disallow vaccination. nated individuals in a community compromise nated is to risk catching the measles, and then to risk at is very unscienti c. this—devoted to discussing vaccine injury—that medical establishment’s convention, and relying o Rav Shternbuch’s information was that unvacci- damage, that can develop after years. While Rav the community’s safety in a signi cant manner, or dying from the measles. In other words, we need to American Gedolim Meet the might deter people from getting vaccines. nated children pose a direct threat to other not? on the information that the government agencies Shternbuch does not mention it, clearly the same Harav Shternbuch was making the following calculate the measles deaths against the population Dr. Chris Shaw children. us, by bringing an unvaccinated child provide. ey have not formulated independent would also apply when considering the safety (or point—since there is a majority opinion that the numbers, not against measles cases. ese are matters of scienti c studies and statistical Doctors e Staten Island meeting was perhaps the largest opinions. to school, the non-vaccinating parent subjects lack thereof) of the shots—we must consider long state of being unvaccinated is the greater sakanah, • Aluminum is not good for your body…You don’t meeting between Rabbonim and doctors, but it was other children to a safek sakanas nefashos. term e ects that can develop undetected over the and we face a sakanah either way, we should revert ndings. e halachah ows naturally from the In the winter of 2018, a meeting was held in Staten The “Vital Statistics Rates in the United States 1940- want aluminum in any form, but you really don’t by no means the rst or the last. Our Gedolim have years. to the rule that we find “in all areas of Torah law” to answers. Island bringing together over forty Rabbonim to hear 1960” is available for download on the CDC website. want the aluminum that’s in vaccines because it met with numerous other doctors and experts. • Rav Shternbuch states that his ruling is only follow the majority. (See the halchah chapter for testimony from a panel of ve professionals: two Rav Moshe Shternbuch On page 547-8 (a pdf reader will count this as p. has very di erent kinetics when it goes into your intended for Eretz Yisrael. He is not claiming the further halachic discussion, and for the view of Of utmost importance is to stress that the rst three doctors, two scientists, and a lawyer. Reb Malkiel and 553-4) the measles death rate in the United States is body by injection. During the measles outbreak of 2018, given all of the authority to rule for America; rather, the Ameri- Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Harav of the above questions are assessments that need to Reb Elya Ber were there, as were three out of the four For the American Olam 1.7 per 100,000 in 1941, goes down to 0.3 in 1953, individually for every disease and its reports coming in from Gedolim and poskim in Eretz can Gedolim must rule for America—based on Wosner.) be made Beth Medrash Govoha poskim. Ein La’dayan Ello Mah and down to 0.2 most years from then on, up to and vaccine. • For a scientist in a medical school to question a Yisrael, Rav Malkiel reached out to Moreinu Hagaon what the doctors in America are saying. It was Rav Malkiel who “commissioned” Rav Chickenpox (varicella) is a far cry from including 1960. vaccine ingredient is not a very popular position Harav Moshe Shternbuch, an elder dayan on the Shternbuch’s psak, which was sent to Rav Malkiel Two primary points of the teshuvah keneged: polio. Hepatitis B is not a contagious disease; it is Here are some excerpts from the introductory remarks She’einov Ro’os to take. But my view is that this is where the Badatz of the Eidah Chareidis of Yerushalayim. Harav Shternbuch’s psak yields several very impor- pursuant to their verbal discussion. blood-borne. Diphtheria is an almost unknown of that four hour meeting, where these medical, 0.2 per 100,000 of is 1 out of 500,0000. science needs to go…I can speak to the area of In addition to being open to the views of all Rav Malkiel spoke with Harav Shternbuch about tant halachic points. Rav Malkiel and Rav Shmuel reviewed the psak • Unvaccinated children are not considered to be in disease, and the vaccine for it may only protect the scienti c, and legal professionals introduce themselves aluminum toxicity and to the impact of alumi- doctors—both those who encourage vaccination, and developments in America, specifically the growing carefully, as did Rav Elya Ber. a situation of sakanah. is is certainly true when vaccinated child from becoming sick—but the child and present their credentials. Keeping Away From the can still transmit the virus to others. Lumping all num in the nervous system. those who caution against it—the Gedolim’s views are movement of doctors and scientists who are question- • Harav Shternbuch does away with a common there is no outbreak in any given geographical vaccines together as one group leads to the incor- informed by the rst-hand accounts of parents who ing vaccination, and who are pointing to the fact that halachic misconception: Many people erroneously Rav Shmuel discussed the matter with a close talmid area. But even when measles is present in the area, Science
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 34 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • • 35 37 Dr. AlvinDr. AlvinMoss Moss, MD • They give credence to the testimony of parents ing vaccination, and who are pointing to the fact that who have come forward with reports of vaccine the shots may carry great risks. Rav Malkiel asked • I’m •not “I’m here not as hereanti-vaccine as anti-vaccine or pro-vaccine—I or pro-vaccine—I injuries; Harav Shternbuch for his opinion regarding the believebelieve it’s a matter it’s a matter of discussion; of discussion; I believe I believe it’s a it’s a alarming situation in America where thousands of mattermatter of getting of getting informed informed just the just way the you’re way you’re • They dismiss the notion that ‘correlation does not children have been sent home from their chadorim due here, today,here, today,getting getting informed. informed.” prove causation.’ According to their da’as Torah, to the fact that they are not vaccinated. correlation is a reason to suspect causation, • I became interested in the vaccine issue because of until proven otherwise. [In Rav Shternbuch’s letter he mentions that Rav assumptionassumption that what that iswhat true is for true one for vaccine one vaccine is true is true • “I became interested in the vaccine issue because my eld of medical ethics. In medical ethics, we‘re Malkiel told him that approximately 2,000 children DiverseDiverse Perspectives Perspectives for all.for is all. can is lead can to lead many to manyother mistakes.other mistakes. of my eld of medical ethics. In medical ethics, very concerned about con icts of interest. Con- • They state some personal observations: are out of school.] we’re very concerned about con icts of interest. For the most part, there is no halachic argument Dr BobDr. Sears Bob Sears, MD icts of interest can unconsciously and uninten- For the most part, there is no halachic argument To beTo clear: be clear: Rav MalkielRav Malkiel Kotler, Kotler, Rav ElyaRav Elya Con icts of interest can unconsciously and regardingregarding vaccination. vaccination. e argument e argument revolves revolves around around tionallyunintentionally lead physicians lead to makephysicians judgments to make that judg - In times past, parents were not frightened or Harav Shternbuch sent back a detailed teshuvah di erencesdi erences of opinions of opinions as to what as to thewhat metzius the metzius is. ere is. ere Ber andBer Ravand ShmuelRav Shmuel believe believe the metzius the metzius • I have• “Italked have totalked thousands to thousands of families of families whose whose are in mentsfavor of that a pharmaceutical are in favor of acompany pharmaceutical as com- anxious about measles; addressing Rav Malkiel’s points. are fourare pivotal four pivotal questions questions regarding regarding the scienti c the scienti c to beto that be vaccinationthat vaccination has been has been shown shown to to childrenchildren have su ered have su ered very serious, very serious, severe severevaccine vaccine opposedpany to asgoing opposed against to it.going against it.” reality:reality: carrycarry serious serious risk, risk,and thatand unvaccinatedthat unvaccinated reactions.reactions.” Polio was a frightening concern, but cases e teshuvah’s conclusion is that parents are obligated childrenchildren do not do pose not posea serious a serious risk torisk to RobertRobert Krakow, Krakow, attorney attorney were few and far between. Epidemics of polio to vaccinate their children, and that vaccinating • I want to give you my experience and show you a parents in schools are within their rights to demand • Does• anyDoes given any diseasegiven disease that we that vaccinate we vaccinate against against others.others. Consequently, Consequently, parents parents are not are not • “I want to give you my experience and show you a never decimated entire populations. pose a poseserious a serious and life-threatening and life-threatening risk to risk our to our lot of sciencelot of science from thefrom Centers the Centers for Disease for Disease Con- Con- • I’ve devoted the last 15 years of my career—a 40 that unvaccinated children be barred from attendance. obligatedobligated to vaccinate to vaccinate their their children, children, • “I’ve devoted the last 15 years of my career—a 40 children,children, or is it or relatively is it relatively benign? benign? In other In words,other words, trol, andtrol, the and FDA, the FDA,that discuss that discusses the risks the of risks of year career—toyear career—to handling handling vaccine vaccine injury injurycases. Icases. I Before the advent of vaccinations—in the Nevertheless, the scope of the psak is limited: statistically,statistically, can it canbe classi ed it be classi ed as a “killer,” as a “killer,” or not? or not? parentsparents cannot cannot be coerced be coerced into into vaccination—becausevaccination—because there arethere risks. are risks.” can attestcan thatattest vaccine that vaccine injury injuryis real. is It real. happens It happens 1950’s— SIDS was unheard of. vaccination,vaccination, and mosdosand mosdos may maynot exclude not exclude every day,every it day,happens it happens to children, to children, and it andcan it can • The psak is only discussing vaccinating against • Is any• Isgiven any vaccinegiven vaccine reasonably reasonably safe, or safe, potentially or potentially unvaccinatedunvaccinated children children (in the (in absence the absence of of • I, and• “I,this and small this panel small here panel today, here aretoday, not arethe not only the happen,happen, and has and happened, has happened, from thefrom MMR the MMR • They believe that although a preponderance of measles. Furthermore, Rav Shternbuch communi- harmfulharmful (and severely (and severely so for soa subset for a subsetof the ofpopu the- popu- doctorsonly who doctors feel this who way… ere feel this way… ere are doctors areall doctors vaccine.vaccine.” doctors view vaccination as a necessity, they might cated verbally that his psak is only relevant at the compellingcompelling legal legalissues). issues). over the world that agree that vaccines carry risks. lation)?lation)? all over the world that agree that vaccines carry not constitute a “rov dei’os.” Among the experts in time of a measles outbreak. • I regularly hear from the expert doctors who immunology and vaccinology, there may be a Our GedolimOur Gedolim are acting are actingon information on information that they that they risks.” • “I regularly hear from expert doctors who testify • Does• aDoes child a whochild is who unvaccinated is unvaccinated for any for given any given • The pharmaceutical companies have not really testify for my clients, mi’ut encouraging vaccination and a miut caution- • Rav Shternbuch’s psak is based on the medical have receivedhave received from crediblefrom credible doctors doctors and scientists, and scientists, for my clients.” diseasedisease pose a posesigni cant, a signi cant, direct directhealth health threat threatto to done the right kind of safety research. When a ing against it, with no discernible rov. is is information that he received from the doctor(s) on rst-handon rst-hand information information that they that have they heard have heardfrom from • “The pharmaceutical companies have not really those aroundthose around him, or him, not? or not? company conducts a study to determine if a • The Vaccine Act passed in 1986 stipulated that because most doctors are simply following the that he consulted: parentsparents who have who seen have serious seen serious adverse adverse reactions reactions in in done the right kind of safety research.…they • “The Vaccine Act passed in 1986 stipulated that vaccine is safe there is no placebo group…they the existence of this program [Vaccine Injury medical establishment’s convention, and relying their children,their children, and on and personal on personal observation. observation. haven’t studied children who received the vaccine the existence of this program [Vaccine Injury • Does• theDoes presence the presence of a population of a population of unvacci of unvacci- - don’t study children who receive the vaccine Program] must be publicized. Why isn’t it? on the information that the government agencies Rav Shternbuch’s information was that out of against children who did not receive the vaccine. Program] must be publicized. Why isn’t it? nated natedindividuals individuals in a community in a community compromise compromise against children who did not receive the vaccine. Because if people would be focused on forums like provide. ey have not formulated independent every 1,000 cases of measles, one will prove at is very unscienti c.” Because if people would be focused on forums like the community’sthe community’s safety safetyin a signi cant in a signi cant manner, manner, or or AmericanAmerican Gedolim Gedolim Meet Meet the the at is very unscienti c. this—devotedthis—devoted to discussing to discussing vaccine vaccine injury—that injury—that opinions. fatal. not? not? might mightdeter peopledeter people from gettingfrom getting vaccines. vaccines.” DoctorsDoctors Dr. ChrisDr. ChrisShaw Shaw, PhD Rav Shternbuch’s information was that unvacci- ese eseare matters are matters of scienti c of scienti c studies studies and statistical and statistical e Staten e Staten Island Islandmeeting meeting was perhaps was perhaps the largest the largest Rav Moshe Shternbuch nated children pose a direct threat to other • Aluminum• “Aluminum is not good is not for good your for body…You your body…You don’t don’t meeting between Rabbonim and doctors, but it was children. us, by bringing an unvaccinated ndings. ndings. e halachah e halachah ows naturally ows naturally from thefrom the In the Inwinter the winter of 2018, of 2018,a meeting a meeting was held was in held Staten in Staten meeting between Rabbonim and doctors, but it was want aluminumwant aluminum in any in form, any form,but you but really you don’treally don’t by no means the rst or the last. Our Gedolim have During the measles outbreak of 2018, given all of the child to school, the non-vaccinating parent answers.answers. Island Islandbringing bringing together together over forty over Rabbonim forty Rabbonim to hear to hear by no means the rst or the last. Our Gedolim have want thewant aluminum the aluminum that’s inthat’s vaccines in vaccines because because it it met with numerous other doctors and experts. reports coming in from Gedolim and poskim in Eretz subjects other children to a safek sakanas testimonytestimony from afrom panel a ofpanel ve ofprofessionals: ve professionals: two two met with numerous other doctors and experts. has veryhas di erent very di erent kinetics kinetics when itwhen goes it into goes your into your Yisrael, Rav Malkiel reached out nefashos. Of utmostOf utmost importance importance is to stress is to thatstress the that rst the three rst three doctors,doctors, two scientists, two scientists, and a lawyer.and a lawyer. Reb Malkiel Reb Malkiel and and body bybody injection. by injection”. to Moreinu Hagaon Harav of the ofabove the abovequestions questions are assessments are assessments that need that to need to Reb ElyaReb Ber Elya were Ber there, were there,as were as three were outthree of outthe offour the four individually for every disease and its Moshe Shternbuch, an elder • Rav Shternbuch states that his ruling is only be madebe individuallymade for every disease and its Beth MedrashBeth Medrash Govoha Govoha poskim. poskim. EinEin La’dayan La’dayan Ello Ello Mah Mah vaccine.vaccine. Chickenpox Chickenpox (varicella) (varicella) is a far is cry a far from cry from • For •a scientist“For a scientist in a medical in a medical school toschool question to question a a dayan on the Badatz of the intended for Eretz Yisrael. He is not claiming vaccine ingredient is not a very popular position Eidah Chareidis of Yerushalayim. the authority to rule for America; rather, the polio. polio.Hepatitis Hepatitis B is not B isa contagiousnot a contagious disease; disease; it is it is Here areHere some are excerptssome excerpts from thefrom introductory the introductory remarks remarks vaccine ingredient is not a very popular position She’einovShe’einov Ro’os Ro’os to take. But my view is that this is where the Rav Malkiel spoke with Harav American Gedolim must rule for America—based blood-borne.blood-borne. Diphtheria Diphtheria is an almost is an almost unknown unknown of thatof four that hour four meeting, hour meeting, where wherethese medical,these medical, to take. But my view is that this is where the science needs to go…I can speak to the area of In addition to being open to the views of all Shternbuch about developments on what the doctors in America are saying. disease,disease, and the and vaccine the vaccine for it mayfor it only may protect only protect the the scienti c,scienti c, and legal and professionals legal professionals introduce introduce themselves themselves science needs to go…I can speak to the area of In addition to being open to the views of all aluminum toxicity and to the impact of alumi- doctors—both those who encourage vaccination, and in America, specifically the vaccinatedvaccinated child fromchild becomingfrom becoming sick—but sick—but the child the child and presentand present their credentials. their credentials. aluminum toxicity and to the impact of alumi- doctors—both those who encourage vaccination, and can stillcan transmit still transmit the virus the to virus others. to others. Lumping Lumping all all num innum the innervous the nervous system. system”. those whothose caution who caution against against it—the it—the Gedolim’s Gedolim’s views views are are growing movement of doctors Harav Shternbuch’s psak yields several very impor- vaccinesvaccines together together as one as group one groupleads to leads the toincorrect the incorrect informedinformed by the by rst-hand the rst-hand accounts accounts of parents of parents who . and scientists who are question- tant halachic points.
38 • GedolimGedolim Letters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Rights,Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 36 Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 37 Dr. AlvinDr. AlvinMoss Moss, MD • They give credence to the testimony of parents ing vaccination, and who are pointing to the fact that who have come forward with reports of vaccine the shots may carry great risks. Rav Malkiel asked • I’m •not “I’m here not as hereanti-vaccine as anti-vaccine or pro-vaccine—I or pro-vaccine—I injuries; Harav Shternbuch for his opinion regarding the believebelieve it’s a matter it’s a matter of discussion; of discussion; I believe I believe it’s a it’s a alarming situation in America where thousands of mattermatter of getting of getting informed informed just the just way the you’re way you’re • They dismiss the notion that ‘correlation does not children have been sent home from their chadorim due here, today,here, today,getting getting informed. informed.” prove causation.’ According to their da’as Torah, to the fact that they are not vaccinated. correlation is a reason to suspect causation, • I became interested in the vaccine issue because of until proven otherwise. [In Rav Shternbuch’s letter he mentions that Rav assumptionassumption that what that iswhat true is for true one for vaccine one vaccine is true is true • “I became interested in the vaccine issue because my eld of medical ethics. In medical ethics, we‘re Malkiel told him that approximately 2,000 children DiverseDiverse Perspectives Perspectives for all.for is all. can is lead can to lead many to manyother mistakes.other mistakes. of my eld of medical ethics. In medical ethics, very concerned about con icts of interest. Con- • They state some personal observations: are out of school.] we’re very concerned about con icts of interest. For the most part, there is no halachic argument Dr BobDr. Sears Bob Sears, MD icts of interest can unconsciously and uninten- For the most part, there is no halachic argument To beTo clear: be clear: Rav MalkielRav Malkiel Kotler, Kotler, Rav ElyaRav Elya Con icts of interest can unconsciously and regardingregarding vaccination. vaccination. e argument e argument revolves revolves around around tionallyunintentionally lead physicians lead to makephysicians judgments to make that judg - In times past, parents were not frightened or Harav Shternbuch sent back a detailed teshuvah di erencesdi erences of opinions of opinions as to what as to thewhat metzius the metzius is. ere is. ere Ber andBer Ravand ShmuelRav Shmuel believe believe the metzius the metzius • I have• “Italked have totalked thousands to thousands of families of families whose whose are in mentsfavor of that a pharmaceutical are in favor of acompany pharmaceutical as com- anxious about measles; addressing Rav Malkiel’s points. are fourare pivotal four pivotal questions questions regarding regarding the scienti c the scienti c to beto that be vaccinationthat vaccination has been has been shown shown to to childrenchildren have su ered have su ered very serious, very serious, severe severevaccine vaccine opposedpany to asgoing opposed against to it.going against it.” reality:reality: carrycarry serious serious risk, risk,and thatand unvaccinatedthat unvaccinated reactions.reactions.” Polio was a frightening concern, but cases e teshuvah’s conclusion is that parents are obligated childrenchildren do not do pose not posea serious a serious risk torisk to RobertRobert Krakow, Krakow, attorney attorney were few and far between. Epidemics of polio to vaccinate their children, and that vaccinating • I want to give you my experience and show you a parents in schools are within their rights to demand • Does• anyDoes given any diseasegiven disease that we that vaccinate we vaccinate against against others.others. Consequently, Consequently, parents parents are not are not • “I want to give you my experience and show you a never decimated entire populations. pose a poseserious a serious and life-threatening and life-threatening risk to risk our to our lot of sciencelot of science from thefrom Centers the Centers for Disease for Disease Con- Con- • I’ve devoted the last 15 years of my career—a 40 that unvaccinated children be barred from attendance. obligatedobligated to vaccinate to vaccinate their their children, children, • “I’ve devoted the last 15 years of my career—a 40 children,children, or is it or relatively is it relatively benign? benign? In other In words,other words, trol, andtrol, the and FDA, the FDA,that discuss that discusses the risks the of risks of year career—toyear career—to handling handling vaccine vaccine injury injurycases. Icases. I Before the advent of vaccinations—in the Nevertheless, the scope of the psak is limited: statistically,statistically, can it canbe classi ed it be classi ed as a “killer,” as a “killer,” or not? or not? parentsparents cannot cannot be coerced be coerced into into vaccination—becausevaccination—because there arethere risks. are risks.” can attestcan thatattest vaccine that vaccine injury injuryis real. is It real. happens It happens 1950’s— SIDS was unheard of. vaccination,vaccination, and mosdosand mosdos may maynot exclude not exclude every day,every it day,happens it happens to children, to children, and it andcan it can • The psak is only discussing vaccinating against • Is any• Isgiven any vaccinegiven vaccine reasonably reasonably safe, or safe, potentially or potentially unvaccinatedunvaccinated children children (in the (in absence the absence of of • I, and• “I,this and small this panel small here panel today, here aretoday, not arethe not only the happen,happen, and has and happened, has happened, from thefrom MMR the MMR • They believe that although a preponderance of measles. Furthermore, Rav Shternbuch communi- harmfulharmful (and severely (and severely so for soa subset for a subsetof the ofpopu the- popu- doctorsonly who doctors feel this who way… ere feel this way… ere are doctors areall doctors vaccine.vaccine.” doctors view vaccination as a necessity, they might cated verbally that his psak is only relevant at the compellingcompelling legal legalissues). issues). over the world that agree that vaccines carry risks. lation)?lation)? all over the world that agree that vaccines carry not constitute a “rov dei’os.” Among the experts in time of a measles outbreak. • I regularly hear from the expert doctors who immunology and vaccinology, there may be a Our GedolimOur Gedolim are acting are actingon information on information that they that they risks.” • “I regularly hear from expert doctors who testify • Does• aDoes child a whochild is who unvaccinated is unvaccinated for any for given any given • The pharmaceutical companies have not really testify for my clients, mi’ut encouraging vaccination and a miut caution- • Rav Shternbuch’s psak is based on the medical have receivedhave received from crediblefrom credible doctors doctors and scientists, and scientists, for my clients.” diseasedisease pose a posesigni cant, a signi cant, direct directhealth health threat threatto to done the right kind of safety research. When a ing against it, with no discernible rov. is is information that he received from the doctor(s) on rst-handon rst-hand information information that they that have they heard have heardfrom from • “The pharmaceutical companies have not really those aroundthose around him, or him, not? or not? company conducts a study to determine if a • The Vaccine Act passed in 1986 stipulated that because most doctors are simply following the that he consulted: parentsparents who have who seen have serious seen serious adverse adverse reactions reactions in in done the right kind of safety research.…they • “The Vaccine Act passed in 1986 stipulated that vaccine is safe there is no placebo group…they the existence of this program [Vaccine Injury medical establishment’s convention, and relying their children,their children, and on and personal on personal observation. observation. haven’t studied children who received the vaccine the existence of this program [Vaccine Injury • Does• theDoes presence the presence of a population of a population of unvacci of unvacci- - don’t study children who receive the vaccine Program] must be publicized. Why isn’t it? on the information that the government agencies Rav Shternbuch’s information was that out of against children who did not receive the vaccine. Program] must be publicized. Why isn’t it? nated natedindividuals individuals in a community in a community compromise compromise against children who did not receive the vaccine. Because if people would be focused on forums like provide. ey have not formulated independent every 1,000 cases of measles, one will prove at is very unscienti c.” Because if people would be focused on forums like the community’sthe community’s safety safetyin a signi cant in a signi cant manner, manner, or or AmericanAmerican Gedolim Gedolim Meet Meet the the at is very unscienti c. this—devotedthis—devoted to discussing to discussing vaccine vaccine injury—that injury—that opinions. fatal. not? not? might mightdeter peopledeter people from gettingfrom getting vaccines. vaccines.” DoctorsDoctors Dr. ChrisDr. ChrisShaw Shaw, PhD Rav Shternbuch’s information was that unvacci- ese eseare matters are matters of scienti c of scienti c studies studies and statistical and statistical e Staten e Staten Island Islandmeeting meeting was perhaps was perhaps the largest the largest Rav Moshe Shternbuch nated children pose a direct threat to other • Aluminum• “Aluminum is not good is not for good your for body…You your body…You don’t don’t meeting between Rabbonim and doctors, but it was children. us, by bringing an unvaccinated ndings. ndings. e halachah e halachah ows naturally ows naturally from thefrom the In the Inwinter the winter of 2018, of 2018,a meeting a meeting was held was in held Staten in Staten meeting between Rabbonim and doctors, but it was want aluminumwant aluminum in any in form, any form,but you but really you don’treally don’t by no means the rst or the last. Our Gedolim have During the measles outbreak of 2018, given all of the child to school, the non-vaccinating parent answers.answers. Island Islandbringing bringing together together over forty over Rabbonim forty Rabbonim to hear to hear by no means the rst or the last. Our Gedolim have want thewant aluminum the aluminum that’s inthat’s vaccines in vaccines because because it it met with numerous other doctors and experts. reports coming in from Gedolim and poskim in Eretz subjects other children to a safek sakanas testimonytestimony from afrom panel a ofpanel ve ofprofessionals: ve professionals: two two met with numerous other doctors and experts. has veryhas di erent very di erent kinetics kinetics when itwhen goes it into goes your into your Yisrael, Rav Malkiel reached out nefashos. Of utmostOf utmost importance importance is to stress is to thatstress the that rst the three rst three doctors,doctors, two scientists, two scientists, and a lawyer.and a lawyer. Reb Malkiel Reb Malkiel and and body bybody injection. by injection”. to Moreinu Hagaon Harav of the ofabove the abovequestions questions are assessments are assessments that need that to need to Reb ElyaReb Ber Elya were Ber there, were there,as were as three were outthree of outthe offour the four individually for every disease and its Moshe Shternbuch, an elder • Rav Shternbuch states that his ruling is only be madebe individuallymade for every disease and its Beth MedrashBeth Medrash Govoha Govoha poskim. poskim. EinEin La’dayan La’dayan Ello Ello Mah Mah vaccine.vaccine. Chickenpox Chickenpox (varicella) (varicella) is a far is cry a far from cry from • For •a scientist“For a scientist in a medical in a medical school toschool question to question a a dayan on the Badatz of the intended for Eretz Yisrael. He is not claiming vaccine ingredient is not a very popular position Eidah Chareidis of Yerushalayim. the authority to rule for America; rather, the polio. polio.Hepatitis Hepatitis B is not B isa contagiousnot a contagious disease; disease; it is it is Here areHere some are excerptssome excerpts from thefrom introductory the introductory remarks remarks vaccine ingredient is not a very popular position She’einovShe’einov Ro’os Ro’os to take. But my view is that this is where the Rav Malkiel spoke with Harav American Gedolim must rule for America—based blood-borne.blood-borne. Diphtheria Diphtheria is an almost is an almost unknown unknown of thatof four that hour four meeting, hour meeting, where wherethese medical,these medical, to take. But my view is that this is where the science needs to go…I can speak to the area of In addition to being open to the views of all Shternbuch about developments on what the doctors in America are saying. disease,disease, and the and vaccine the vaccine for it mayfor it only may protect only protect the the scienti c,scienti c, and legal and professionals legal professionals introduce introduce themselves themselves science needs to go…I can speak to the area of In addition to being open to the views of all aluminum toxicity and to the impact of alumi- doctors—both those who encourage vaccination, and in America, specifically the vaccinatedvaccinated child fromchild becomingfrom becoming sick—but sick—but the child the child and presentand present their credentials. their credentials. aluminum toxicity and to the impact of alumi- doctors—both those who encourage vaccination, and can stillcan transmit still transmit the virus the to virus others. to others. Lumping Lumping all all num innum the innervous the nervous system. system”. those whothose caution who caution against against it—the it—the Gedolim’s Gedolim’s views views are are growing movement of doctors Harav Shternbuch’s psak yields several very impor- vaccinesvaccines together together as one as group one groupleads to leads the toincorrect the incorrect informedinformed by the by rst-hand the rst-hand accounts accounts of parents of parents who . and scientists who are question- tant halachic points.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 36 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • • 37 39 Dr. Alvin Moss have come forward and reported their experiences, and the shots may carry great risks. Rav Malkiel asked believe• Haravthat in Shternbuch medical issues does we away “go bosorwith a common of his, acarefully, talmid chochom as did Rav of Elya stature. Ber. Rav Shmuel’s • Unvaccinated children are not considered to be in by their own observations. Harav Shternbuch for his opinion regarding the rov”—i.e.,halachic we follow misconception: the majority Many of opinions. people erroneously talmid wrote a detailed “teshuvah keneged”, a situation of sakanah. is is certainly true when Keeping Away From the • I’m not here as anti-vaccine or pro-vaccine—I alarming situation in America where thousands of But thebelieve Shulchan that Aruch—based in medical issues on wea clear “go bosor endorsedRav by Shmuel Rav Shmuel, discussed analyzing the matter Rav with a close talmid there is no outbreak in any given geographical believe it’s a matter of discussion; I believe it’s a • They give credence to the testimony of parents children have been sent home from their chadorim Gemara—rov”—i.e., rules unequivocally, we follow the thatmajority we do of not opinions. But Shternbuch’sof his, psak.a talmid chochom of stature. Rav Shmuel’s area. But even when measles is present in the area, Science matter of getting informed just the way you’re due to the fact that they are not vaccinated. the Shulchan Aruch—based on a clear Gemara— talmid wrote a detailed “teshuvah keneged”, endorsed who have come forward with reports of vaccine follow a majority opinion in cases of sakanas healthy unvaccinated children cannot be said to In the beginning of the teshuvah, the author states his here, today, getting informed. rules unequivocally, that we do not follow a e talmidby Rav begins: Shmuel, analyzing Rav Shternbuch’s psak. injuries; nefashos. As regards health matters we ‘go lekula’ be in a situation of yesh sakanah be’foneinu. e intention to keep away from the science and to focus [In Rav Shternbuch’s letter he mentions that Rav majority opinion in cases of sakanas nefashos. In (safeik nefashos le’kula) and we do not ‘go bosor author bases this on the Noda Be’Yehudah, and on Harav Shternbuch’s presentation of the halachah. • I became interested in the vaccine issue because of • They dismiss the notion that ‘correlation does not Malkiel told him that approximately 2,000 children rov’ (lohealth azlinan matters, bosor ruba. we ‘go ‘Lekula’ lekula’ in(safeik this nefashoscase The talmid begins: the Chasam Sofer. assumption that what is true for one vaccine is true He was apparently unable to keep to this restriction. my eld of medical ethics. In medical ethics, we‘re prove causation.’ According to their da’as Torah, are out of school.] means le’kula)that any and safety we concern,do not ‘go even bosor the rov’ concern (lo azlinan Diverse Perspectives for all. is can lead to many other mistakes. Later in the teshuvah, he comments shortly on the very concerned about con icts of interest. Con- correlation is a reason to suspect causation, of a minoritybosor ruba. opinion, ‘Lekula’ overrides all other • Harav Shternbuch makes it clear that according to in this case means that any science that Harav Shternbuch’s ruling was based on, Dr Bob Sears icts of interest can unconsciously and uninten- until proven otherwise. Harav Shternbuch sent back a detailed teshuvah “Following up on your inquiry regarding the issue For the most part, there is no halachic argument concerns,safety such concern, that we even are meikil the concern on Shabbos of a minority and the Shulchan Aruch, when a group of doctors are speci cally, that unvaccinated children are considered To be clear: Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Elya tionally lead physicians to make judgments that addressing Rav Malkiel’s points. of vaccinating against measles, in light of Hagaon regarding vaccination. e argument revolves around Yom Kippur).opinion, Thus, overrides as Rav all otherMalkiel concerns, informed such that we of the opinion that something is dangerous, we a sakanah, because the mortality rate from measles is 1 Ber and Rav Shmuel believe the metzius • I have talked to thousands of families whose are in favor of a pharmaceutical company as Harav Moshe Shternbuch’s teshuvah—who rules di erences of opinions as to what the metzius is. ere • They state some personal observations: him, sinceare meikilthere existson Shabbos a minority and ofYom doctors Kippur). who Thus, as must abide by their opinion, even in the face of a in 1,000. are four pivotal questions regarding the scienti c to be that vaccination has been shown to children have su ered very serious, severe vaccine opposed to going against it. e teshuvah’s conclusion is that parents are obligated claim thatRav the Malkiel shots informedare not safe, him, they since must there be exists a that children must be vaccinated as per the laws of majority opinion that views this behavior as safe. reactions. to vaccinate their children, and that vaccinating pikuach nefesh and the concern of sakanah, and that reality: carry serious risk, and that unvaccinated o In times past, parents were not frightened or taken intominority account. of doctors who claim that the shots are In the case of vaccination, however, we are dealing e author points out that according to current Robert Krakow, attorney parents in schools are within their rights to demand parents have the right to petition their schools to children do not pose a serious risk to anxious about measles; not safe, they must be taken into account. with a double-edged sakanah. Even if we are to government information in America (from the CDC), • I want to give you my experience and show you a that unvaccinated children be barred from attendance. disallow unvaccinated children from attending— • Does any given disease that we vaccinate against Rav Shternbuch writes, however, that the majority accept the opinion of the doctors that vaccination mortality rates from measles, historically, range pose a serious and life-threatening risk to our others. Consequently, parents are not lot of science from the Centers for Disease Con- • I’ve devoted the last 15 years of my career—a 40 o Polio was a frightening concern, but cases Nevertheless, the scope of the psak is limited: of doctors claim that allowing a child to remain whereas, on the other hand, it is well-known that injections are dangerous, we have doctors on the Rav Shternbuch writes, however, that the majority my Rebbe, Moreinu HaGaon Harav Shmuel between 1 in 2,000, to 1 in 7,000. children, or is it relatively benign? In other words, obligated to vaccinate their children, trol, and the FDA, that discuss the risks of year career—to handling vaccine injury cases. I were few and far between. Epidemics of polio unvaccinated is also a sakanah; thus there is a other side who believe that being unvaccinated is of doctors claim that allowing a child to remain Kamenetsky, shlita, is among those whose opinion statistically, can it be classi ed as a “killer,” or not? parents cannot be coerced into vaccination—because there are risks. can attest that vaccine injury is real. It happens never decimated entire populations. • The psak is only discussing vaccinating against sakanah on both sides of the equation. (I.e., a dangerous. Since there is a sakanah on both sides, unvaccinated is also a sakanah; thus there is a is that there is no obligation to vaccinate children, This rate may be even lower. The CDC provides data every day, it happens to children, and it can measles. Furthermore, Rav Shternbuch communi- majority of doctors claim that the shot is safe and we revert back to the general halachic rule that we vaccination, and mosdos may not exclude sakanah on both sides of the equation. (I.e., a and that there is no heter [permit] for a school to from the period before the introduction of the measles • I, and this small panel here today, are not the only happen, and has happened, from the MMR o Before the advent of vaccinations—in the cated verbally that his psak is only relevant at the that being unvaccinated is a sakanah; while the follow the majority opinion. e Machatzis • Is any given vaccine reasonably safe, or potentially unvaccinated children (in the absence of bar unvaccinated students from attending. vaccine in 1963. During that time, the CDC reports doctors who feel this way… ere are doctors all vaccine. time of a measles outbreak. majority of doctors claim that the shot is safe and harmful (and severely so for a subset of the popu- 1950’s— SIDS was unheard of. minority claim that being unvaccinated poses no Hashekel, however, rules that in such a case shev that 3 to 4 million people per year contracted measles compelling legal issues). over the world that agree that vaccines carry risks. that being unvaccinated is a sakanah; while the lation)? danger, and the shots present a sakanah.) at being “Therefore, you have requested the student to ve’al ta’aseh adif—the matter remains a safek, and in the United States, and that the mortality rate • I regularly hear from the expert doctors who • They believe that although a preponderance of • Rav Shternbuch’s psak is based on the medical the case,minority we would claim revert that to being the standard unvaccinated Torah poses no it is better to be passive and let things run their Our Gedolim are acting on information that they sakanah clarify the teacher’s position. Over the years I have averaged 432 per year. (See • Does a child who is unvaccinated for any given • The pharmaceutical companies have not really testify for my clients, doctors view vaccination as a necessity, they might information that he received from the doctor(s) principledanger, that we and follow the shots the majority.present a .) That being course, than to do something with our own have received from credible doctors and scientists, explored the issue many times with my Rebbe, and https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/000 disease pose a signi cant, direct health threat to done the right kind of safety research. When a not constitute a “rov dei’os.” Among the experts in that he consulted: the case, we would revert to the standard Torah hands. on rst-hand information that they have heard from principle that we follow the majority. we have “traveled the length and breadth” of the 56803.htm ) those around him, or not? company conducts a study to determine if a • The Vaccine Act passed in 1986 stipulated that immunology and vaccinology there may be a • Rav Shternbuch notes, based on what he heard sugya at the end of Maseches Yoma, and in Shulchan parents who have seen serious adverse reactions in vaccine is safe there is no placebo group…they the existence of this program [Vaccine Injury o Rav Shternbuch’s information was that out of mi’ut against a mi’ut, encouraging vaccination, or from the Brisker Rov, zatzal, that we must not Aruch siman 618, that deals with disputes among In other words, according to Harav Moshe Shtern- 3 million cases with 432 deaths yields a figure of 1 out their children, and on personal observation. don’t study children who receive the vaccine Program] must be publicized. Why isn’t it? every 1,000 cases of measles, one will prove fatal. • Rav Shternbuch notes, based on what he heard • Does the presence of a population of unvacci- cautioning against it, with no discernible rov. is only consider the mortality rate of measles but doctors. We have also considered what, exactly, buch, if a group of doctors—even two—will come of 7,000; 4 million cases with 432 deaths yields 1 in against children who did not receive the vaccine. from the Brisker Rov, zatzal, that we must not nated individuals in a community compromise Because if people would be focused on forums like is because most doctors are simply following the also the long term negative e ects, such as brain constitutes a “chashash sakanah,” and other relevant forward and present their opinion that vaccination over 9,000. the community’s safety in a signi cant manner, or at is very unscienti c. this—devoted to discussing vaccine injury—that medical establishment’s convention, and relying o Rav Shternbuch’s information was that unvacci- damage,only that consider can develop the mortality after years. rate While of measles Rav but questions. could lead to a sakanah, we would be obligated to American Gedolim Meet the might deter people from getting vaccines. nated children pose a direct threat to other also the long term negative effects, such as brain not? on the information that the government agencies Shternbuch does not mention it, clearly the same listen to their opinion. e mandate of But that is not the full statistical picture because not Dr. Chris Shaw children. us, by bringing an unvaccinated child damage, that can develop after years. While Rav provide. ey have not formulated independent would also apply when considering the safety (or “In short, [Rav Shmuel’s] opinion is this: Parents ve’nishmartem me’od le'nafshoseichem would then everyone gets the measles. e risk of being unvacci- Doctors e Staten Island meeting was perhaps the largest to school, the non-vaccinating parent subjects Shternbuch does not mention it, clearly the same who choose to vaccinate may do so, but there is ese are matters of scienti c studies and statistical opinions. lack thereof) of the shots—we must consider long shift, and would disallow vaccination. nated is to risk catching the measles, and then to risk • Aluminum is not good for your body…You don’t meeting between Rabbonim and doctors, but it was other children to a safek sakanas nefashos. would also apply when considering the safety (or certainly no obligation to do so, and there is ndings. e halachah ows naturally from the In the winter of 2018, a meeting was held in Staten term e ects that can develop undetected over the dying from the measles. In other words, we need to want aluminum in any form, but you really don’t by no means the rst or the last. Our Gedolim have certainly no heter for any mosdos to bar answers. Island bringing together over forty Rabbonim to hear years. lack thereof) of the shots—we must consider long Harav Shternbuch was making the following calculate the measles deaths against the population want the aluminum that’s in vaccines because it met with numerous other doctors and experts. • Rav Shternbuch states that his ruling is only unvaccinated children from attending yeshivah. testimony from a panel of ve professionals: two Rav Moshe Shternbuch term effects that can develop undetected over the point—since there is a majority opinion that the numbers, not against measles cases. has very di erent kinetics when it goes into your intended for Eretz Yisrael. He is not claiming the sakanah Of utmost importance is to stress that the rst three doctors, two scientists, and a lawyer. Reb Malkiel and years. state of being unvaccinated is the greater , body by injection. During the measles outbreak of 2018, given all of the authority to rule for America; rather, the Ameri- “I have analyzed Harav Shternbuch’s teshuvah, and sakanah of the above questions are assessments that need to Reb Elya Ber were there, as were three out of the four For the American Olam and we face a either way, we should revert The “Vital Statistics Rates in the United States 1940- reports coming in from Gedolim and poskim in Eretz can Gedolim must rule for America—based on I have seen that there is much that warrants be made individually for every disease and its Beth Medrash Govoha poskim. Ein La’dayan Ello Mah to the rule that we find “in all areas of Torah law” to 1960” is available for download on the CDC website. • For a scientist in a medical school to question a Yisrael, Rav Malkiel reached out to Moreinu Hagaon what the doctors in America are saying. It was Rav Malkiel who “commissioned” Rav consideration and judgment; I have therefore vaccine. Chickenpox (varicella) is a far cry from For the American Olam follow the majority. (A future publication will On page 547-8 (a pdf reader will count this as p. vaccine ingredient is not a very popular position Harav Moshe Shternbuch, an elder dayan on the Shternbuch’s psak, which was sent to Rav Malkiel Two primaryprepared points the of following the teshuvah teshuvah keneged:.” halachah polio. Hepatitis B is not a contagious disease; it is Here are some excerpts from the introductory remarks She’einov Ro’os elaborate on the , including the views of 553-4) the measles death rate in the United States is to take. But my view is that this is where the Badatz of the Eidah Chareidis of Yerushalayim. Harav Shternbuch’s psak yields several very impor- pursuant to their verbal discussion. blood-borne. Diphtheria is an almost unknown of that four hour meeting, where these medical, It was Rav Malkiel who “commissioned” Rav Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Harav 1.7 per 100,000 in 1941, goes down to 0.3 in 1953, science needs to go…I can speak to the area of In addition to being open to the views of all Rav Malkiel spoke with Harav Shternbuch about tant halachic points. Rav Malkiel and Rav Shmuel reviewed the psak disease, and the vaccine for it may only protect the scienti c, and legal professionals introduce themselves Shternbuch’s psak, which was sent to Rav Malkiel Wosner.) and down to 0.2 most years from then on, up to and aluminum toxicity and to the impact of alumi- doctors—both those who encourage vaccination, and developments in America, specifically the growing carefully, as did Rav Elya Ber. Two primary points of the teshuvah keneged: vaccinated child from becoming sick—but the child and present their credentials. pursuant to their verbal discussion. including 1960. can still transmit the virus to others. Lumping all num in the nervous system. those who caution against it—the Gedolim’s views are movement of doctors and scientists who are question- • Harav Shternbuch does away with a common informed by the rst-hand accounts of parents who ing vaccination, and who are pointing to the fact that halachic misconception: Many people erroneously Rav Shmuel discussed the matter with a close talmid vaccines together as one group leads to the incorrect Rav Malkiel and Rav Shmuel reviewed the psak 0.2 per 100,000 of is 1 out of 500,0000.
40 • GedolimGedolim Letters onLetters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental RightsParental and Rights, Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 38 Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 39 Dr. Alvin Moss have come forward and reported their experiences, and the shots may carry great risks. Rav Malkiel asked believe• Haravthat in Shternbuch medical issues does we away “go bosorwith a common of his, acarefully, talmid chochom as did Rav of Elya stature. Ber. Rav Shmuel’s • Unvaccinated children are not considered to be in by their own observations. Harav Shternbuch for his opinion regarding the rov”—i.e.,halachic we follow misconception: the majority Many of opinions. people erroneously talmid wrote a detailed “teshuvah keneged”, a situation of sakanah. is is certainly true when Keeping Away From the • I’m not here as anti-vaccine or pro-vaccine—I alarming situation in America where thousands of But thebelieve Shulchan that Aruch—based in medical issues on wea clear “go bosor endorsedRav by Shmuel Rav Shmuel, discussed analyzing the matter Rav with a close talmid there is no outbreak in any given geographical believe it’s a matter of discussion; I believe it’s a • They give credence to the testimony of parents children have been sent home from their chadorim Gemara—rov”—i.e., rules unequivocally, we follow the thatmajority we do of not opinions. But Shternbuch’sof his, psak.a talmid chochom of stature. Rav Shmuel’s area. But even when measles is present in the area, Science matter of getting informed just the way you’re due to the fact that they are not vaccinated. the Shulchan Aruch—based on a clear Gemara— talmid wrote a detailed “teshuvah keneged”, endorsed who have come forward with reports of vaccine follow a majority opinion in cases of sakanas healthy unvaccinated children cannot be said to In the beginning of the teshuvah, the author states his here, today, getting informed. rules unequivocally, that we do not follow a e talmidby Rav begins: Shmuel, analyzing Rav Shternbuch’s psak. injuries; nefashos. As regards health matters we ‘go lekula’ be in a situation of yesh sakanah be’foneinu. e intention to keep away from the science and to focus [In Rav Shternbuch’s letter he mentions that Rav majority opinion in cases of sakanas nefashos. In (safeik nefashos le’kula) and we do not ‘go bosor author bases this on the Noda Be’Yehudah, and on Harav Shternbuch’s presentation of the halachah. • I became interested in the vaccine issue because of • They dismiss the notion that ‘correlation does not Malkiel told him that approximately 2,000 children rov’ (lohealth azlinan matters, bosor ruba. we ‘go ‘Lekula’ lekula’ in(safeik this nefashoscase The talmid begins: the Chasam Sofer. assumption that what is true for one vaccine is true He was apparently unable to keep to this restriction. my eld of medical ethics. In medical ethics, we‘re prove causation.’ According to their da’as Torah, are out of school.] means le’kula)that any and safety we concern,do not ‘go even bosor the rov’ concern (lo azlinan Diverse Perspectives for all. is can lead to many other mistakes. Later in the teshuvah, he comments shortly on the very concerned about con icts of interest. Con- correlation is a reason to suspect causation, of a minoritybosor ruba. opinion, ‘Lekula’ overrides all other • Harav Shternbuch makes it clear that according to in this case means that any science that Harav Shternbuch’s ruling was based on, Dr Bob Sears icts of interest can unconsciously and uninten- until proven otherwise. Harav Shternbuch sent back a detailed teshuvah “Following up on your inquiry regarding the issue For the most part, there is no halachic argument concerns,safety such concern, that we even are meikil the concern on Shabbos of a minority and the Shulchan Aruch, when a group of doctors are speci cally, that unvaccinated children are considered To be clear: Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Elya tionally lead physicians to make judgments that addressing Rav Malkiel’s points. of vaccinating against measles, in light of Hagaon regarding vaccination. e argument revolves around Yom Kippur).opinion, Thus, overrides as Rav all otherMalkiel concerns, informed such that we of the opinion that something is dangerous, we a sakanah, because the mortality rate from measles is 1 Ber and Rav Shmuel believe the metzius • I have talked to thousands of families whose are in favor of a pharmaceutical company as Harav Moshe Shternbuch’s teshuvah—who rules di erences of opinions as to what the metzius is. ere • They state some personal observations: him, sinceare meikilthere existson Shabbos a minority and ofYom doctors Kippur). who Thus, as must abide by their opinion, even in the face of a in 1,000. are four pivotal questions regarding the scienti c to be that vaccination has been shown to children have su ered very serious, severe vaccine opposed to going against it. e teshuvah’s conclusion is that parents are obligated claim thatRav the Malkiel shots informedare not safe, him, they since must there be exists a that children must be vaccinated as per the laws of majority opinion that views this behavior as safe. reactions. to vaccinate their children, and that vaccinating pikuach nefesh and the concern of sakanah, and that reality: carry serious risk, and that unvaccinated o In times past, parents were not frightened or taken intominority account. of doctors who claim that the shots are In the case of vaccination, however, we are dealing e author points out that according to current Robert Krakow, attorney parents in schools are within their rights to demand parents have the right to petition their schools to children do not pose a serious risk to anxious about measles; not safe, they must be taken into account. with a double-edged sakanah. Even if we are to government information in America (from the CDC), • I want to give you my experience and show you a that unvaccinated children be barred from attendance. disallow unvaccinated children from attending— • Does any given disease that we vaccinate against Rav Shternbuch writes, however, that the majority accept the opinion of the doctors that vaccination mortality rates from measles, historically, range pose a serious and life-threatening risk to our others. Consequently, parents are not lot of science from the Centers for Disease Con- • I’ve devoted the last 15 years of my career—a 40 o Polio was a frightening concern, but cases Nevertheless, the scope of the psak is limited: of doctors claim that allowing a child to remain whereas, on the other hand, it is well-known that injections are dangerous, we have doctors on the Rav Shternbuch writes, however, that the majority my Rebbe, Moreinu HaGaon Harav Shmuel between 1 in 2,000, to 1 in 7,000. children, or is it relatively benign? In other words, obligated to vaccinate their children, trol, and the FDA, that discuss the risks of year career—to handling vaccine injury cases. I were few and far between. Epidemics of polio unvaccinated is also a sakanah; thus there is a other side who believe that being unvaccinated is of doctors claim that allowing a child to remain Kamenetsky, shlita, is among those whose opinion statistically, can it be classi ed as a “killer,” or not? parents cannot be coerced into vaccination—because there are risks. can attest that vaccine injury is real. It happens never decimated entire populations. • The psak is only discussing vaccinating against sakanah on both sides of the equation. (I.e., a dangerous. Since there is a sakanah on both sides, unvaccinated is also a sakanah; thus there is a is that there is no obligation to vaccinate children, This rate may be even lower. The CDC provides data every day, it happens to children, and it can measles. Furthermore, Rav Shternbuch communi- majority of doctors claim that the shot is safe and we revert back to the general halachic rule that we vaccination, and mosdos may not exclude sakanah on both sides of the equation. (I.e., a and that there is no heter [permit] for a school to from the period before the introduction of the measles • I, and this small panel here today, are not the only happen, and has happened, from the MMR o Before the advent of vaccinations—in the cated verbally that his psak is only relevant at the that being unvaccinated is a sakanah; while the follow the majority opinion. e Machatzis • Is any given vaccine reasonably safe, or potentially unvaccinated children (in the absence of bar unvaccinated students from attending. vaccine in 1963. During that time, the CDC reports doctors who feel this way… ere are doctors all vaccine. time of a measles outbreak. majority of doctors claim that the shot is safe and harmful (and severely so for a subset of the popu- 1950’s— SIDS was unheard of. minority claim that being unvaccinated poses no Hashekel, however, rules that in such a case shev that 3 to 4 million people per year contracted measles compelling legal issues). over the world that agree that vaccines carry risks. that being unvaccinated is a sakanah; while the lation)? danger, and the shots present a sakanah.) at being “Therefore, you have requested the student to ve’al ta’aseh adif—the matter remains a safek, and in the United States, and that the mortality rate • I regularly hear from the expert doctors who • They believe that although a preponderance of • Rav Shternbuch’s psak is based on the medical the case,minority we would claim revert that to being the standard unvaccinated Torah poses no it is better to be passive and let things run their Our Gedolim are acting on information that they sakanah clarify the teacher’s position. Over the years I have averaged 432 per year. (See • Does a child who is unvaccinated for any given • The pharmaceutical companies have not really testify for my clients, doctors view vaccination as a necessity, they might information that he received from the doctor(s) principledanger, that we and follow the shots the majority.present a .) That being course, than to do something with our own have received from credible doctors and scientists, explored the issue many times with my Rebbe, and https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/000 disease pose a signi cant, direct health threat to done the right kind of safety research. When a not constitute a “rov dei’os.” Among the experts in that he consulted: the case, we would revert to the standard Torah hands. on rst-hand information that they have heard from principle that we follow the majority. we have “traveled the length and breadth” of the 56803.htm ) those around him, or not? company conducts a study to determine if a • The Vaccine Act passed in 1986 stipulated that immunology and vaccinology there may be a • Rav Shternbuch notes, based on what he heard sugya at the end of Maseches Yoma, and in Shulchan parents who have seen serious adverse reactions in vaccine is safe there is no placebo group…they the existence of this program [Vaccine Injury o Rav Shternbuch’s information was that out of mi’ut against a mi’ut, encouraging vaccination, or from the Brisker Rov, zatzal, that we must not Aruch siman 618, that deals with disputes among In other words, according to Harav Moshe Shtern- 3 million cases with 432 deaths yields a figure of 1 out their children, and on personal observation. don’t study children who receive the vaccine Program] must be publicized. Why isn’t it? every 1,000 cases of measles, one will prove fatal. • Rav Shternbuch notes, based on what he heard • Does the presence of a population of unvacci- cautioning against it, with no discernible rov. is only consider the mortality rate of measles but doctors. We have also considered what, exactly, buch, if a group of doctors—even two—will come of 7,000; 4 million cases with 432 deaths yields 1 in against children who did not receive the vaccine. from the Brisker Rov, zatzal, that we must not nated individuals in a community compromise Because if people would be focused on forums like is because most doctors are simply following the also the long term negative e ects, such as brain constitutes a “chashash sakanah,” and other relevant forward and present their opinion that vaccination over 9,000. the community’s safety in a signi cant manner, or at is very unscienti c. this—devoted to discussing vaccine injury—that medical establishment’s convention, and relying o Rav Shternbuch’s information was that unvacci- damage,only that consider can develop the mortality after years. rate While of measles Rav but questions. could lead to a sakanah, we would be obligated to American Gedolim Meet the might deter people from getting vaccines. nated children pose a direct threat to other also the long term negative effects, such as brain not? on the information that the government agencies Shternbuch does not mention it, clearly the same listen to their opinion. e mandate of But that is not the full statistical picture because not Dr. Chris Shaw children. us, by bringing an unvaccinated child damage, that can develop after years. While Rav provide. ey have not formulated independent would also apply when considering the safety (or “In short, [Rav Shmuel’s] opinion is this: Parents ve’nishmartem me’od le'nafshoseichem would then everyone gets the measles. e risk of being unvacci- Doctors e Staten Island meeting was perhaps the largest to school, the non-vaccinating parent subjects Shternbuch does not mention it, clearly the same who choose to vaccinate may do so, but there is ese are matters of scienti c studies and statistical opinions. lack thereof) of the shots—we must consider long shift, and would disallow vaccination. nated is to risk catching the measles, and then to risk • Aluminum is not good for your body…You don’t meeting between Rabbonim and doctors, but it was other children to a safek sakanas nefashos. would also apply when considering the safety (or certainly no obligation to do so, and there is ndings. e halachah ows naturally from the In the winter of 2018, a meeting was held in Staten term e ects that can develop undetected over the dying from the measles. In other words, we need to want aluminum in any form, but you really don’t by no means the rst or the last. Our Gedolim have certainly no heter for any mosdos to bar answers. Island bringing together over forty Rabbonim to hear years. lack thereof) of the shots—we must consider long Harav Shternbuch was making the following calculate the measles deaths against the population want the aluminum that’s in vaccines because it met with numerous other doctors and experts. • Rav Shternbuch states that his ruling is only unvaccinated children from attending yeshivah. testimony from a panel of ve professionals: two Rav Moshe Shternbuch term effects that can develop undetected over the point—since there is a majority opinion that the numbers, not against measles cases. has very di erent kinetics when it goes into your intended for Eretz Yisrael. He is not claiming the sakanah Of utmost importance is to stress that the rst three doctors, two scientists, and a lawyer. Reb Malkiel and years. state of being unvaccinated is the greater , body by injection. During the measles outbreak of 2018, given all of the authority to rule for America; rather, the Ameri- “I have analyzed Harav Shternbuch’s teshuvah, and sakanah of the above questions are assessments that need to Reb Elya Ber were there, as were three out of the four For the American Olam and we face a either way, we should revert The “Vital Statistics Rates in the United States 1940- reports coming in from Gedolim and poskim in Eretz can Gedolim must rule for America—based on I have seen that there is much that warrants be made individually for every disease and its Beth Medrash Govoha poskim. Ein La’dayan Ello Mah to the rule that we find “in all areas of Torah law” to 1960” is available for download on the CDC website. • For a scientist in a medical school to question a Yisrael, Rav Malkiel reached out to Moreinu Hagaon what the doctors in America are saying. It was Rav Malkiel who “commissioned” Rav consideration and judgment; I have therefore vaccine. Chickenpox (varicella) is a far cry from For the American Olam follow the majority. (A future publication will On page 547-8 (a pdf reader will count this as p. vaccine ingredient is not a very popular position Harav Moshe Shternbuch, an elder dayan on the Shternbuch’s psak, which was sent to Rav Malkiel Two primaryprepared points the of following the teshuvah teshuvah keneged:.” halachah polio. Hepatitis B is not a contagious disease; it is Here are some excerpts from the introductory remarks She’einov Ro’os elaborate on the , including the views of 553-4) the measles death rate in the United States is to take. But my view is that this is where the Badatz of the Eidah Chareidis of Yerushalayim. Harav Shternbuch’s psak yields several very impor- pursuant to their verbal discussion. blood-borne. Diphtheria is an almost unknown of that four hour meeting, where these medical, It was Rav Malkiel who “commissioned” Rav Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Harav 1.7 per 100,000 in 1941, goes down to 0.3 in 1953, science needs to go…I can speak to the area of In addition to being open to the views of all Rav Malkiel spoke with Harav Shternbuch about tant halachic points. Rav Malkiel and Rav Shmuel reviewed the psak disease, and the vaccine for it may only protect the scienti c, and legal professionals introduce themselves Shternbuch’s psak, which was sent to Rav Malkiel Wosner.) and down to 0.2 most years from then on, up to and aluminum toxicity and to the impact of alumi- doctors—both those who encourage vaccination, and developments in America, specifically the growing carefully, as did Rav Elya Ber. Two primary points of the teshuvah keneged: vaccinated child from becoming sick—but the child and present their credentials. pursuant to their verbal discussion. including 1960. can still transmit the virus to others. Lumping all num in the nervous system. those who caution against it—the Gedolim’s views are movement of doctors and scientists who are question- • Harav Shternbuch does away with a common informed by the rst-hand accounts of parents who ing vaccination, and who are pointing to the fact that halachic misconception: Many people erroneously Rav Shmuel discussed the matter with a close talmid vaccines together as one group leads to the incorrect Rav Malkiel and Rav Shmuel reviewed the psak 0.2 per 100,000 of is 1 out of 500,0000.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 38 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • • 39 41 As mentioned, Rav Shternbuch stated clearly that his e teshuvah would not apply at all to other diseases teshuvah was relevant only to the measles, and only whose prevalence is rare, or whose mortality rate is during an outbreak. It is obvious that this is so; it is low. for this reason that he used the number of 1 in 1,000. During an outbreak the danger is “clear and present” It is an obfuscation to present this as a blanket ruling so he used the mortality rate to calculate the danger. that there exists an obligation “to vaccinate” one’s children.
42 • GedolimGedolim Letters onLetters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental RightsParental and Rights, Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 40 Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 41 As mentioned, Rav Shternbuch stated clearly that his e teshuvah would not apply at all to other diseases teshuvah was relevant only to the measles, and only whose prevalence is rare, or whose mortality rate is during an outbreak. It is obvious that this is so; it is low. for this reason that he used the number of 1 in 1,000. During an outbreak the danger is “clear and present” It is an obfuscation to present this as a blanket ruling so he used the mortality rate to calculate the danger. that there exists an obligation “to vaccinate” one’s children.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 40 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • • 41 43 A Matter of Trust
e CDC numbers used above are from vital statistics reports, usually matters of public record. Looking the num- bers up for oneself, there is little reason to mistrust the information.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 44 • GedolimGedolim Letters on Letters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Rights,Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 42 43 A Matter of Trust
e CDC numbers used above are from vital statistics reports, usually matters of public record. Looking the num- bers up for oneself, there is little reason to mistrust the information.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 42 Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom •43 45 Dr. O t is arguably America’s foremost vaccine But the CDCBut the also CDC informs also usinforms about usthe about safety, the e cacy, safety, e cacy,vaccination Pharmageddon. e book’s description reads as follows: genuinely innovative drugs, spends less proponent and spokesperson. and necessityand necessity of vaccination of vaccination based on based scienti c on scienti c studies. studies. than half as much on research and Here, anHere, element an elementof trust isof introduced, trust is introduced, and the CDCand the CDC Dr. O t is arguably America’s foremost vaccine In his book, Vaccines and Your Child: Separating Fact development as on marketing and is a link inis aa linkchain. in a chain. proponent and spokesperson. From Fiction (p. 28) he writes: “David Healy’s comprehensive argument against administration, and consistently has the pharmaceuticalization of medicine is an In general,In thegeneral, “chain the of “chain trust” offollows trust” this follows path: this path: In his book, Vaccines and Your Child: Separating Fact indictment of the problems in healthcare that are pro t margins far above those of most Rabbonim rely on the doctors whom they know Rabbonim rely on the doctors whom they know From Fiction (p. 28) he writes: leading to a growing number of deaths and disabili- other Fortune 500 industries…and I well—either as talmidim, or members of their kehillos. “Pharmaceutical companies that make vaccines well—either as talmidim, or members of their kehilos. ties. Healy…attributes the current state of aairs e doctors, in turn, rely on the CDC and FDA should be trusted because they have an excellent describe how the pharmaceutical e doctors, in turn, rely on the CDC and govern- to three key factors: product rather than process whose job it is to inform and advise the medical record of making safe and eective products; patents on drugs, the classi cation of certain drugs industry uses its immense wealth and ment agenciescommunity, whose andjob itto is keep to inform America and safe. advise As thefaithful because they have never been shown to knowingly as prescription-only, and industry-controlled drug power to co-opt nearly every institution misrepresent vaccine data in medical or scienti c medical Americans,community, we and would to keep like America to believe safe. that As these agen- trials. ese developments have tied the survival of that might stand in its way—including faithful Americans, we would like to believe that these journals; because all studies, positive or negative, pharmaceutical companies to the development of cies are doing a ne job, and performing rigorous, must be presented to the FDA before licensure; and the U.S. Congress, the FDA, and the agencies independentare doing a ne research. job, and But performing individuals rigorous, with an inside blockbuster drugs, so that they must overhype independent research. But individuals with an inside because the vaccine side of pharmaceutical compa- bene ts and deny real hazards.” medical profession itself.” knowledge of government agency workings are warn- nies is often staed with people who have a back- knowledgeing of that CDC much workings of the scienceare warning is being that trusted much to the ground in public health and are interested in of the sciencepharmaceutical is being trusted companies to the themselves, pharmaceutical or to those disease prevention. Although this no doubt sounds Dr. O t is undeterred. In his book Deadly Choices- companieswhom themselves, they fund. or to those whom they fund. Pollyannaish, it is true.” Peter Goetzsche, MD, cofounder of the prestigious How the Anti-Vaccine Movement reatens Us All, he Cochrane Collaboration, an independent research again speaks of the trust that parents must invest in David LichtensteinDavid Lichtenstein hosts “Headlines hosts “Headlines Halachah Halachah group, wrote Deadly Medicines and Organised Crime: their vaccination choices (p. 199, in a chapter entitled Radio,”anRadio Orthodox,”an Orthodox talk show talk devoted show devotedto discussing to discussing How Big Pharma Has Corrupted Healthcare. In the But the view from other experts would indicate that “Trust”): issues of issuesthe day. of Duringthe day. theDuring measles the outbreakmeasles outbreak of 2018 of foreword, Drummond Rennie, MD, editor at the these four claims are indeed Pollyannaish, and indeed he interviewed2018, heRabbi interviewed Tatz, who Rabbi noted Tatz, that who vaccine noted that Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) untrue. manufacturersvaccine earn manufacturers little or no moneyearn little from or theirno money from writes the following: “When parents choose to vaccinate their children, vaccine productstheir vaccine and haveproducts no ulterior and have motives no ulterior to motives to John Abramson, MD, is on the clinical faculty of one factor is vital to the decision: trust. A choice John Abramson, MD, promotepromote or sell them. or sell them. Harvard Medical School and was is aon Robert the clinical Wood faculty of not to vaccinate is a choice not to trust those who Johnson Harvardfellow. He Medical worked School as a family and was doctor a Robert in Wood “I have written repeated, and often indignant, research, manufacture, license, recommend, Johnson fellow. He worked as a family doctor in promote, and administer vaccines—speci cally, the It’s a commonlyIt’s a commonly heard claim. heard On claim. the other On the hand, other hand, Massachussetts for twenty years , but left his practice editorials revealing unethical behavior by Massachussetts for twenty years, but left his practice to government, pharmaceutical companies, and many othersmany claim others that claim vaccines that vaccinesare at the are top at of the their top of their to write Overdosed America, because he was alarmed commercially-supported researchers and their write Overdosed America, because he was alarmed at doctors. If we are again to believe that vaccines are manufacturers’manufacturers’ “best seller” “best lists, seller” and lists, that andthe vaccinethat the vaccine at the “profound shift in the culture of American sponsors. At least three editors whom I also know the “profound shift in the culture of American medi- Drs. Jerome Kassirer and Marcia Angell safer than the diseases they prevent, we’re going to market ismarket a robust, is a fast robust, growing, fast growing, multi-billion multi-billion dollar dollar medicine.” well, cine.” ( e New England Journal of Medicine) and have to trust those responsible for them. is isn’t industry.industry. If that is Ifthe that case, is thecon icts case, con ictsof interest of andinterest and going to be easy.” Richard Smith (British Medical Journal) have potentialpotential fraud are fraud real concerns. are real concerns. From the preface: From the preface: written books in which they have expressed dismay
at the magnitude of the problem.” Are theAre pharmaceutical the pharmaceutical companies companies here here Dr. O t is right; it isn’t going to be easy. Many to helpto save help humanity save humanity or to turn or to a turnhefty a hefty [ is] book exposes many of the drug companies’ American parents are nding this trust to be a tall pro t?pro t? well-kept secrets such as the misrepresentation of Marcia Angell, MD, is a nationally recognized order. their own research on Vioxx and Celebrex in our authority in the eld of healthcare, named by Time most respected medical journals and the pushing of Magazine as “one of the twenty- ve most in uential Given Dr. O t’s revelation, it becomes somewhat Dr. Paul Dr.O t Paul is Director O t is Directorof the Vaccine of the EducationVaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of cholesterol-lowering drugs on millions of Ameri- people in America.” She was the editor-in-chief of the frightening that the legislative debate that should be Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of cans, unsupported by the scienti c evidence. I New England Journal of Medicine for close to twenty happening is not happening. Parents who are opposed Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadel- spent nearly three years documenting the undue Infectiousphia. Diseases Dr. O t at Children’s is an internationally Hospital of recognizedPhiladel- expert years. She wrote Science on Trial and e Truth About to vaccination on religious grounds do not want to phia. Dr. O t is an internationally recognized expert in uence of the drug and other medical industries in the elds of virology and immunology, and was a on American healthcare… the Drug Companies. From the preface to the latter: trade their religious faith for faith in a medical system, in the eldsmember of virology of the andAdvisory immunology, Committee and on was Immunization a and certainly not for faith in the pharmaceutical member Practicesof the Advisory to the CentersCommittee for Disease on Immunization Control and “As you will discover, this book is very companies. ey do not want to trust—they want PracticesPrevention to the Centers (CDC), for Disease a member Control of the and Institute of critical of the pharmaceutical industry. I proof. PreventionMedicine (CDC), (IOM), a member co-editor of the ofInstitute the foremost of vaccine Dr. David Healy studied medicine at Cambridge David Healy, MD, studied medicine at Cambridge show that, contrary to its public Medicinetext, (IOM), Vaccines co-editor, and author of the offoremost a number vaccine of books on University, is a Professor of Psychiatry in Wales, and is In our own communities, the issue is a pressing one as text, Vaccines,vaccination. and author of a number of books on an internationallyUniversity, respected is a Professor psychiatrist of Psychiatry and author. in Wales, and is relations, the industry discovers few an internationally respected psychiatrist and author of well.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 46 • Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom 44 Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 45 Dr. O t is arguably America’s foremost vaccine But the CDCBut the also CDC informs also usinforms about usthe about safety, the e cacy, safety, e cacy,vaccination Pharmageddon. e book’s description reads as follows: genuinely innovative drugs, spends less proponent and spokesperson. and necessityand necessity of vaccination of vaccination based on based scienti c on scienti c studies. studies. than half as much on research and Here, anHere, element an elementof trust isof introduced, trust is introduced, and the CDCand the CDC Dr. O t is arguably America’s foremost vaccine In his book, Vaccines and Your Child: Separating Fact development as on marketing and is a link inis aa linkchain. in a chain. proponent and spokesperson. From Fiction (p. 28) he writes: “David Healy’s comprehensive argument against administration, and consistently has the pharmaceuticalization of medicine is an In general,In thegeneral, “chain the of “chain trust” offollows trust” this follows path: this path: In his book, Vaccines and Your Child: Separating Fact indictment of the problems in healthcare that are pro t margins far above those of most Rabbonim rely on the doctors whom they know Rabbonim rely on the doctors whom they know From Fiction (p. 28) he writes: leading to a growing number of deaths and disabili- other Fortune 500 industries…and I well—either as talmidim, or members of their kehillos. “Pharmaceutical companies that make vaccines well—either as talmidim, or members of their kehilos. ties. Healy…attributes the current state of aairs e doctors, in turn, rely on the CDC and FDA should be trusted because they have an excellent describe how the pharmaceutical e doctors, in turn, rely on the CDC and govern- to three key factors: product rather than process whose job it is to inform and advise the medical record of making safe and eective products; patents on drugs, the classi cation of certain drugs industry uses its immense wealth and ment agenciescommunity, whose andjob itto is keep to inform America and safe. advise As thefaithful because they have never been shown to knowingly as prescription-only, and industry-controlled drug power to co-opt nearly every institution misrepresent vaccine data in medical or scienti c medical Americans,community, we and would to keep like America to believe safe. that As these agen- trials. ese developments have tied the survival of that might stand in its way—including faithful Americans, we would like to believe that these journals; because all studies, positive or negative, pharmaceutical companies to the development of cies are doing a ne job, and performing rigorous, must be presented to the FDA before licensure; and the U.S. Congress, the FDA, and the agencies independentare doing a ne research. job, and But performing individuals rigorous, with an inside blockbuster drugs, so that they must overhype independent research. But individuals with an inside because the vaccine side of pharmaceutical compa- bene ts and deny real hazards.” medical profession itself.” knowledge of government agency workings are warn- nies is often staed with people who have a back- knowledgeing of that CDC much workings of the scienceare warning is being that trusted much to the ground in public health and are interested in of the sciencepharmaceutical is being trusted companies to the themselves, pharmaceutical or to those disease prevention. Although this no doubt sounds Dr. O t is undeterred. In his book Deadly Choices- companieswhom themselves, they fund. or to those whom they fund. Pollyannaish, it is true.” Peter Goetzsche, MD, cofounder of the prestigious How the Anti-Vaccine Movement reatens Us All, he Cochrane Collaboration, an independent research again speaks of the trust that parents must invest in David LichtensteinDavid Lichtenstein hosts “Headlines hosts “Headlines Halachah Halachah group, wrote Deadly Medicines and Organised Crime: their vaccination choices (p. 199, in a chapter entitled Radio,”anRadio Orthodox,”an Orthodox talk show talk devoted show devotedto discussing to discussing How Big Pharma Has Corrupted Healthcare. In the But the view from other experts would indicate that “Trust”): issues of issuesthe day. of Duringthe day. theDuring measles the outbreakmeasles outbreak of 2018 of foreword, Drummond Rennie, MD, editor at the these four claims are indeed Pollyannaish, and indeed he interviewed2018, heRabbi interviewed Tatz, who Rabbi noted Tatz, that who vaccine noted that Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) untrue. manufacturersvaccine earn manufacturers little or no moneyearn little from or theirno money from writes the following: “When parents choose to vaccinate their children, vaccine productstheir vaccine and haveproducts no ulterior and have motives no ulterior to motives to John Abramson, MD, is on the clinical faculty of one factor is vital to the decision: trust. A choice John Abramson, MD, promotepromote or sell them. or sell them. Harvard Medical School and was is aon Robert the clinical Wood faculty of not to vaccinate is a choice not to trust those who Johnson Harvardfellow. He Medical worked School as a family and was doctor a Robert in Wood “I have written repeated, and often indignant, research, manufacture, license, recommend, Johnson fellow. He worked as a family doctor in promote, and administer vaccines—speci cally, the It’s a commonlyIt’s a commonly heard claim. heard On claim. the other On the hand, other hand, Massachussetts for twenty years , but left his practice editorials revealing unethical behavior by Massachussetts for twenty years, but left his practice to government, pharmaceutical companies, and many othersmany claim others that claim vaccines that vaccinesare at the are top at of the their top of their to write Overdosed America, because he was alarmed commercially-supported researchers and their write Overdosed America, because he was alarmed at doctors. If we are again to believe that vaccines are manufacturers’manufacturers’ “best seller” “best lists, seller” and lists, that andthe vaccinethat the vaccine at the “profound shift in the culture of American sponsors. At least three editors whom I also know the “profound shift in the culture of American medi- Drs. Jerome Kassirer and Marcia Angell safer than the diseases they prevent, we’re going to market ismarket a robust, is a fast robust, growing, fast growing, multi-billion multi-billion dollar dollar medicine.” well, cine.” ( e New England Journal of Medicine) and have to trust those responsible for them. is isn’t industry.industry. If that is Ifthe that case, is thecon icts case, con ictsof interest of andinterest and going to be easy.” Richard Smith (British Medical Journal) have potentialpotential fraud are fraud real concerns. are real concerns. From the preface: From the preface: written books in which they have expressed dismay
at the magnitude of the problem.” Are theAre pharmaceutical the pharmaceutical companies companies here here Dr. O t is right; it isn’t going to be easy. Many to helpto save help humanity save humanity or to turn or to a turnhefty a hefty [ is] book exposes many of the drug companies’ American parents are nding this trust to be a tall pro t?pro t? well-kept secrets such as the misrepresentation of Marcia Angell, MD, is a nationally recognized order. their own research on Vioxx and Celebrex in our authority in the eld of healthcare, named by Time most respected medical journals and the pushing of Magazine as “one of the twenty- ve most in uential Given Dr. O t’s revelation, it becomes somewhat Dr. Paul Dr.O t Paul is Director O t is Directorof the Vaccine of the EducationVaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of cholesterol-lowering drugs on millions of Ameri- people in America.” She was the editor-in-chief of the frightening that the legislative debate that should be Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of cans, unsupported by the scienti c evidence. I New England Journal of Medicine for close to twenty happening is not happening. Parents who are opposed Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadel- spent nearly three years documenting the undue Infectiousphia. Diseases Dr. O t at Children’s is an internationally Hospital of recognizedPhiladel- expert years. She wrote Science on Trial and e Truth About to vaccination on religious grounds do not want to phia. Dr. O t is an internationally recognized expert in uence of the drug and other medical industries in the elds of virology and immunology, and was a on American healthcare… the Drug Companies. From the preface to the latter: trade their religious faith for faith in a medical system, in the eldsmember of virology of the andAdvisory immunology, Committee and on was Immunization a and certainly not for faith in the pharmaceutical member Practicesof the Advisory to the CentersCommittee for Disease on Immunization Control and “As you will discover, this book is very companies. ey do not want to trust—they want PracticesPrevention to the Centers (CDC), for Disease a member Control of the and Institute of critical of the pharmaceutical industry. I proof. PreventionMedicine (CDC), (IOM), a member co-editor of the ofInstitute the foremost of vaccine Dr. David Healy studied medicine at Cambridge David Healy, MD, studied medicine at Cambridge show that, contrary to its public Medicinetext, (IOM), Vaccines co-editor, and author of the offoremost a number vaccine of books on University, is a Professor of Psychiatry in Wales, and is In our own communities, the issue is a pressing one as text, Vaccines,vaccination. and author of a number of books on an internationallyUniversity, respected is a Professor psychiatrist of Psychiatry and author. in Wales, and is relations, the industry discovers few an internationally respected psychiatrist and author of well.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 44 GedolimGedolim Letters Letters on Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Parental Rights, Rights and and Religious Religious Freedom Freedom • •45 47 ere are many questions that our communities’ All of the points in the above teshuvah natural metzius—the “ways of the world”—is not an is patterned after the three cardinal sins—undercover doctors freely admit that they cannot answer– are clear and accurate, according to the immutable reality. e reality lies in the halachah; the immorality, disregard for human life, and a lack of belief that human beings are accountable to a Higher instead they rely on the CDC that there “are halachah. metzius follows suit. answers.” Upon hearing this over and over, Jewish Power. In modern terms this translates into corrup- parents have sought out doctors who do have answers tion, greed, and dishonesty. based on their own research—and have found many of Shmuel Kamenetsky the answers to be more disturbing than the questions. Corporate greed, government corruption and ine - ese parents are demanding the right to believe the ciency, and, in more recent times, media collusion, are Harav Shternbuch’s teshuvah notwithstanding, our realities that aware and wary citizens are generally doctors whom they choose to believe—just as the Gedolim in America maintained their psak—parents are quick to recognize. communities’ doctors choose to believe the CDC. not obligated to vaccinate their children, and schools should not seek to coerce them to do so. But for some reason, when it comes to vaccines, allegations of “conspiracy theorist!” tend to replace a Bottom Line reasonable sense of caution. Many people work with Emunas Chachomim what can only be termed a “righteousness theory” that Rav Shmuel appended a handwritten note to his informs them that anyone and everyone involved in talmid’s teshuvah kenegged and reiterated the following In truth, America’s Gedolim are not going against Rav the design, study, manufacture, monitoring, and point: Shternbuch’s psak, which ends o with the following: marketing of these powerful pharmaceutical products can be trusted to have the best health interests of the It is absolutely clear that the status of world’s children at heart. unvaccinated children is one of “ein “All my words here apply to Eretz Yisrael. As pertains to America, the Rabbonim and Admorim Which theory is more implausible? hasakanah be’faneinu—the sakanah is there should consider the matter—they should not before us,” as is apparent from the listen to the opinions of the doctors, and they Sharyl Attkisson is an American media icon, a journal- Noda Be’Yehuda [cited in the body of the should decide on the Torah law. eir intent is only ist for over three decades. She is a New York Times lesheim Shamayim, to clarify the halachah; they will bestselling author, has won ve Emmy awards, and is a teshuvah], and that their situation is not have siyata deShmaya. “ ose who keep the recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for investi- classi ed as a sakanah of pikuach nefesh. mitzvos—speci cally, the mitzvah to listen to the gative journalism. She has reported nationally for CBS e words of the Chazon Ish [also cited words of our Chachamim—will know of no harm.” News, PBS, and CNN, and is the host of the nation- natural metzius—the “ways of the world”—is notally an broadcast investigative television program Full in the teshuvah] are a “soothing salve to Measure with Sharyl Attkisson. the eyes,” and are practically applicable immutable reality. e reality lies in the halachah; the What did Rav Shternbuch mean in this nal comment? e Gedolim inmetzius Eretz Yisroel follows, for suit. the most part, have [to our situation]. is is true notwith- On a simple level, this is an expression of the Rav’s dismissed, or have not considered, the notion that Ms. Attkisson calls non-partisan investigative report- ing a modern day casualty of industry’s and standing the fact that there is nowhere humility—a relinquishing of his authority to pasken vaccines are not e what Gedolim conventional in Eretz medical Yisroel, belief for the most part, have government’s deep involvement in the media, coupled beyond Eretz Yisroel. understands them to be. us, Yidden living in Eretz near a one-in-one-thousand mortality dismissed, or have not considered, the notion thatwith today’s unprecedented information technology. Yisroel Gedolim rate for measles. are a ordedvaccines protection. are not whatBut if conventional the medicalin belief e hallowed “fourth estate,” meant to inform and But there may be a deeper meaning as well. In a well- America view understandsthings di erently, them andto be. pasken us, that Yidden living in Eretzthereby protect the individual citizen, has been known episode, Rav Chaim Volozhiner once directed a concerns aboutYisroel vaccination are a orded are valid, protection. that can Butvery if well the Gedolimco-opted. in erefore, it is my opinion that there is man who had a certain impairment in his lungs to make change the metziusAmerica for theview American things di erently, tzibbur. and pasken that no justi cation at all to make the vacci- sure to live in the city of Metz. e man’s lung condi- us, Harav Shternbuchconcerns about may vaccinationhave meant areto endvalid, his that can veryShe well agrees with what we have been hear- nation of children obligatory, although tion was a matter of controversy—the poskim disagreed teshuvah withchange a word the of caution—wemetzius for the should American guard tzibbur. as to whether or not such a condition would render an ourselves not against us, Harav measles Shternbuch or vaccination, may have but meant to end hising from both sides of the vaccination those who choose to vaccinate their chil- animal a treifah. e Sha’agas Aryeh ruled that it would against breachesteshuvah in our withemunas a word chachomim of caution—we. should guardcontroversy: In today’s troubled times, dren may do so. Furthermore, there is no not. Since the Sha’agas Aryeh had been the Mara De’asra ourselves not against measles or vaccination, but partisan opinions, vicious agendas, mis- heter for institutions to prevent tinokos of Metz, Rav Chaim told the man that if he lived there against breaches in our emunas chachomim. he would be a orded protection—in that city, this lung Epilogue information, mischaracterizations and shel beis raban who are unvaccinated impairment was not fatal. smears blur together until there is virtu- from learning Torah in their school. At the heart of any good conspiracy theory is the reality ally no distinction between credible of the evil that lurks within the heart of man. e evil Halichos olam lo; al tikri halichos, ello halachos. e reporting and propaganda.
48 • GedolimGedolim Letters onLetters Vaccination, on Vaccination, Parental Rights Parental and Rights, Religious and Freedom Religious Freedom • 46 ere are many questions that our communities’ All of the points in the above teshuvah natural metzius—the “ways of the world”—is not an is patterned after the three cardinal sins—undercover doctors freely admit that they cannot answer– are clear and accurate, according to the immutable reality. e reality lies in the halachah; the immorality, disregard for human life, and a lack of belief that human beings are accountable to a Higher instead they rely on the CDC that there “are halachah. metzius follows suit. answers.” Upon hearing this over and over, Jewish Power. In modern terms this translates into corrup- parents have sought out doctors who do have answers tion, greed, and dishonesty. based on their own research—and have found many of Shmuel Kamenetsky the answers to be more disturbing than the questions. Corporate greed, government corruption and ine - ese parents are demanding the right to believe the ciency, and, in more recent times, media collusion, are Harav Shternbuch’s teshuvah notwithstanding, our realities that aware and wary citizens are generally doctors whom they choose to believe—just as the Gedolim in America maintained their psak—parents are quick to recognize. communities’ doctors choose to believe the CDC. not obligated to vaccinate their children, and schools should not seek to coerce them to do so. But for some reason, when it comes to vaccines, allegations of “conspiracy theorist!” tend to replace a Bottom Line reasonable sense of caution. Many people work with Emunas Chachomim what can only be termed a “righteousness theory” that Rav Shmuel appended a handwritten note to his informs them that anyone and everyone involved in talmid’s teshuvah kenegged and reiterated the following In truth, America’s Gedolim are not going against Rav the design, study, manufacture, monitoring, and point: Shternbuch’s psak, which ends o with the following: marketing of these powerful pharmaceutical products can be trusted to have the best health interests of the It is absolutely clear that the status of world’s children at heart. unvaccinated children is one of “ein “All my words here apply to Eretz Yisrael. As pertains to America, the Rabbonim and Admorim Which theory is more implausible? hasakanah be’faneinu—the sakanah is there should consider the matter—they should not before us,” as is apparent from the listen to the opinions of the doctors, and they Sharyl Attkisson is an American media icon, a journal- Noda Be’Yehuda [cited in the body of the should decide on the Torah law. eir intent is only ist for over three decades. She is a New York Times lesheim Shamayim, to clarify the halachah; they will bestselling author, has won ve Emmy awards, and is a teshuvah], and that their situation is not have siyata deShmaya. “ ose who keep the recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for investi- classi ed as a sakanah of pikuach nefesh. mitzvos—speci cally, the mitzvah to listen to the gative journalism. She has reported nationally for CBS e words of the Chazon Ish [also cited words of our Chachamim—will know of no harm.” News, PBS, and CNN, and is the host of the nation- natural metzius—the “ways of the world”—is notally an broadcast investigative television program Full in the teshuvah] are a “soothing salve to Measure with Sharyl Attkisson. the eyes,” and are practically applicable immutable reality. e reality lies in the halachah; the What did Rav Shternbuch mean in this nal comment? e Gedolim inmetzius Eretz Yisroel follows, for suit. the most part, have [to our situation]. is is true notwith- On a simple level, this is an expression of the Rav’s dismissed, or have not considered, the notion that Ms. Attkisson calls non-partisan investigative report- ing a modern day casualty of industry’s and standing the fact that there is nowhere humility—a relinquishing of his authority to pasken vaccines are not e what Gedolim conventional in Eretz medical Yisroel, belief for the most part, have government’s deep involvement in the media, coupled beyond Eretz Yisroel. understands them to be. us, Yidden living in Eretz near a one-in-one-thousand mortality dismissed, or have not considered, the notion thatwith today’s unprecedented information technology. Yisroel Gedolim rate for measles. are a ordedvaccines protection. are not whatBut if conventional the medicalin belief e hallowed “fourth estate,” meant to inform and But there may be a deeper meaning as well. In a well- America view understandsthings di erently, them andto be. pasken us, that Yidden living in Eretzthereby protect the individual citizen, has been known episode, Rav Chaim Volozhiner once directed a concerns aboutYisroel vaccination are a orded are valid, protection. that can Butvery if well the Gedolimco-opted. in erefore, it is my opinion that there is man who had a certain impairment in his lungs to make change the metziusAmerica for theview American things di erently, tzibbur. and pasken that no justi cation at all to make the vacci- sure to live in the city of Metz. e man’s lung condi- us, Harav Shternbuchconcerns about may vaccinationhave meant areto endvalid, his that can veryShe well agrees with what we have been hear- nation of children obligatory, although tion was a matter of controversy—the poskim disagreed teshuvah withchange a word the of caution—wemetzius for the should American guard tzibbur. as to whether or not such a condition would render an ourselves not against us, Harav measles Shternbuch or vaccination, may have but meant to end hising from both sides of the vaccination those who choose to vaccinate their chil- animal a treifah. e Sha’agas Aryeh ruled that it would against breachesteshuvah in our withemunas a word chachomim of caution—we. should guardcontroversy: In today’s troubled times, dren may do so. Furthermore, there is no not. Since the Sha’agas Aryeh had been the Mara De’asra ourselves not against measles or vaccination, but partisan opinions, vicious agendas, mis- heter for institutions to prevent tinokos of Metz, Rav Chaim told the man that if he lived there against breaches in our emunas chachomim. he would be a orded protection—in that city, this lung Epilogue information, mischaracterizations and shel beis raban who are unvaccinated impairment was not fatal. smears blur together until there is virtu- from learning Torah in their school. At the heart of any good conspiracy theory is the reality ally no distinction between credible of the evil that lurks within the heart of man. e evil Halichos olam lo; al tikri halichos, ello halachos. e reporting and propaganda.
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights, and Religious Freedom • 46 Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 49 In the rst chapter of her recent book, e Smear, she ing authors—and one of their crowning publishing quotes Mark Crispin Miller, a professor of media achievements is the Artscroll Siddur. studies at NYU. From Rav Nosson’s Overview: “Americans had always been quite receptive to the idea of elite conspiracies against their rights and property. e Declaration of Independence is a conspiracy theory from beginning to end. Americans never felt Its Hebrew name is te llah, a word that gives they had to apologize for suspecting that the elites may us insight into the Torah’s concept of prayer. -to judge, to dieren ,פלל llah is e root of te be up to no good.”’ tiate, to clarify, to decide. In life, we constantly Ms. Attkisson further cites Professor Miller: ‘ e sort out evidence from rumor, valid options ‘conspiracy theorist’ meme became a propaganda tool from wild speculations, fact from fancy. e routinely used to assassinate the character of those who exercise of such judgment is called pelilah. threaten the powers that be…Once labeled as Indeed, this word is used for a court of law conspiracy theorists, the targets are to be doubted, (Exodus 21:22) and what is the function of a viewed with suspicion, and disregarded, even though court if not to sift evidence and make a deci- proven conspiracies, as a matter of fact, are extremely sion? common.” is the related root פלל A logical extension of meaning a clear separation between two ,פלה cult to nd it di Many parents in the mainstream believe that the global apparatus of pharmaceutical things. us, prayer is the soul’s yearning to companies, media outlets, government agencies, de ne what truly matters and to ignore the government legislatures—and, above all, doctors and trivialities that often masquerade as essential scientists—who are encouraging and mandating (Siddur Avodas HaLev). childhood vaccinations are doing so based on unwhole- is is the function of the evaluating, decision some motives. Are they all evil? making process of te llah, prayer. e Hebrew
word for praying is mispallel; it is a re exive e answer is no. And when it comes to our good word, meaning that the subject acts upon doctors, from our own kehilos, who have always tended himself. Prayer is a process of self-evaluation, to us and our families faithfully and sel essly, the self-judgment; a process of removing oneself answer is a resounding no. from the tumult of life to a little corner of truth and refastening the bonds that tie one to But non-vaccinating parents pose an equal and oppo- the purpose of life. site question:
Alongside the global apparatus encouraging vaccina- tion, there exists an equally global movement of doctors and scientists, advocacy groups and legal Our communities have been thrown into tumult over experts—and, above all, hundreds of thousands of the issue of vaccinations. Whether we choose to vacci- parents—who are questioning or discouraging vaccina- nate our children or not, we owe it to ourselves and to tions, and certainly mandatory vaccination, for our our fellow parents to refasten the bonds of our babies and children. purpose—to ensure that our achdus, our ‘community unity,’ does not crumble, and to pray to Hashem that Are they all brainwashed? He protect all of us.
אתה אחד ושמך אחד ומי כעמך ישראל גוי אחד בארץ. -Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and ybl”ch Rabbi Nosson Sher man need no introduction. ey are our own bestsell-
50 • Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom In the rst chapter of her recent book, e Smear, she ing authors—and one of their crowning publishing quotes Mark Crispin Miller, a professor of media achievements is the Artscroll Siddur. studies at NYU. From Rav Nosson’s Overview: “Americans had always been quite receptive to the idea of elite conspiracies against their rights and property. e Declaration of Independence is a conspiracy theory from beginning to end. Americans never felt Its Hebrew name is te llah, a word that gives they had to apologize for suspecting that the elites may us insight into the Torah’s concept of prayer. -to judge, to dieren ,פלל llah is e root of te be up to no good.”’ tiate, to clarify, to decide. In life, we constantly Ms. Attkisson further cites Professor Miller: ‘ e sort out evidence from rumor, valid options ‘conspiracy theorist’ meme became a propaganda tool from wild speculations, fact from fancy. e routinely used to assassinate the character of those who exercise of such judgment is called pelilah. threaten the powers that be…Once labeled as Indeed, this word is used for a court of law conspiracy theorists, the targets are to be doubted, (Exodus 21:22) and what is the function of a viewed with suspicion, and disregarded, even though court if not to sift evidence and make a deci- proven conspiracies, as a matter of fact, are extremely sion? common.” is the related root פלל A logical extension of meaning a clear separation between two ,פלה cult to nd it di Many parents in the mainstream believe that the global apparatus of pharmaceutical things. us, prayer is the soul’s yearning to companies, media outlets, government agencies, de ne what truly matters and to ignore the government legislatures—and, above all, doctors and trivialities that often masquerade as essential scientists—who are encouraging and mandating (Siddur Avodas HaLev). childhood vaccinations are doing so based on unwhole- is is the function of the evaluating, decision some motives. Are they all evil? making process of te llah, prayer. e Hebrew word for praying is mispallel; it is a re exive e answer is no. And when it comes to our good word, meaning that the subject acts upon doctors, from our own kehilos, who have always tended himself. Prayer is a process of self-evaluation, to us and our families faithfully and sel essly, the self-judgment; a process of removing oneself answer is a resounding no. from the tumult of life to a little corner of truth and refastening the bonds that tie one to But non-vaccinating parents pose an equal and oppo- the purpose of life. site question:
Alongside the global apparatus encouraging vaccina- tion, there exists an equally global movement of doctors and scientists, advocacy groups and legal Our communities have been thrown into tumult over experts—and, above all, hundreds of thousands of the issue of vaccinations. Whether we choose to vacci- parents—who are questioning or discouraging vaccina- nate our children or not, we owe it to ourselves and to tions, and certainly mandatory vaccination, for our our fellow parents to refasten the bonds of our babies and children. purpose—to ensure that our achdus, our ‘community unity,’ does not crumble, and to pray to Hashem that Are they all brainwashed? He protect all of us.
אתה אחד ושמך אחד ומי כעמך ישראל גוי אחד בארץ. -Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and ybl”ch Rabbi Nosson Sher man need no introduction. ey are our own bestsell-
Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom • 51 is publication can be viewed and downloaded at www.gedolimletters.org Questions or comments can be emailed to: [email protected]
52 • Gedolim Letters on Vaccination, Parental Rights and Religious Freedom