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Shavuot @Home 5780 Does Halakhah (Jewish Law) Require Vaccination Against Dangerous Diseases Like Measles, Rubella, Polio and Covid-19? Rabbi Stephen Weiss B’nai Jeshurun Congregation Pepper Pike, Ohio Based on Responsa of the same name by Rabbi David Golinkin, 1/12/2021 *Does halakhah require vaccinations? *How does Jewish law relate to those who endanger the lives of others by refusing to be vaccinated? *May they be prevented from entering schools, synagogues or public places? It is a mitzvah – a holy obligation found in the Torah – to bring healing. ִיְוכ - ֻןִיבְיר יִםָשׁנֲא -- ְִָוהכּה - יִאשׁ ֶאת - ֵֵרהעוּ , ןֶֶבְבּא וֹא ףְֹרֶגְבא ; ְו>א ָיוּמת , ַָלְופנ ְָכִּבשְׁלמ . ִאם - ָיוּקם ְְִֵַוCלּההת וַּבּץח , ַעל - וְֹתּנְַעִמשׁ -- ְִוהקּנ ָ ֶהַכַּהמּ : ַרק וְֹתּבִשׁ ֵןִיתּ , ְַוֹרפּא ְַיֵרפּא . And if men contend, and one smite the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keep his bed; if he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit; only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed. (Exodus 21:18-19) כול מהק י י ם פנש חאת אכ י ל ו יק םי םלוע אלמ Whosoever preserves a life is as though he had kept alive the whole world. (Pirke de-Rabbi Eliezer, Chapter 48) It is also a mitzvah – sacred obligation from the Torah, to watch over ourselves and keep ourselves healthy. ְְִֶַונרתּמשׁם ְ דְֹמא , ֶםיֵכַתְפֹשׁנְל : Guard your souls (lives) exceedingly (Deuteronomy 4:15) ַרק ֶרָמִהשּׁ ְל9 שׁוּ ְ מ ֹ ר 9ְְַנשׁפ דְֹמא Only watch over yourself and guard your soul (life) (Deuteronomy 4:9) That is to say, watch over your physical body (i.e., your health)… (Kli Yakar on Deuteronomy 4:9) Halakhic authorities agree we are obligated to follow the advice of our doctors and follow medical science. Rabbi Alfred Cohen, editor of the orthodox halakhic journal, Journal of Halakhah in Contemporary Society. See “Vaccination in Jewish Law,” Spring 2010, pages 85-89 Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, former Chief Rabbi Of Israel, see his responsum in Yehaveh Da’at, 1:61 We are only obligated to follow our doctor’s advice if it is regarding proven medicine. Are vaccines “proven medicine?” Is the Covid-19 vaccine “proven medicine?” Rabbi Yaakov Emden (leading German Rabbi 1697-1776): “Almost all doctors in the world instruct us to get vaccinated against measles and other infectious diseases because they are refuah bedukah – proven medicine – which saves the lives of millions of people around the world every year” (Mor Uketzia, Orah Hayyim 328) What if a vaccine like for Covid-19 does not yet have a long track record? *Studies of Covid-19 are actually much longer and more rigorous than were studies of other vaccines such as smallpox, diphtheria, and polio. *Those studies show that: Covid vaccine is 94-95% effective vs. Flu vaccine is only 40-45% effective Vaccines are proven medicine that saves lives! Smallpox vaccine invented in 1796 Before vaccine: 400,000 people per year died in Europe every year Today: Smallpox practically eradicated from the world Diphtheria vaccine invented in the 1920s Before vaccine: 5-10% mortality rate Today: <100 cases per year in the United States Polio vaccine invented in 1955 Before vaccine: 18,000 cases each year in the United States Today: 5-15 cases per year in the United States. Measles vaccine invented in 1960s Before vaccine: 500,000 cases per year in U.S., 6.6% of infected children died (33,000 per year) After the vaccine: 99% reduction in cases Those not vaccinated are 35 times more likely to contract measles Rubella vaccine invented 1969 In 1964-65 epidemic: 11,000 fetuses died in utero or miscarriage 20,000 born with blindness, heart disease, mental retardation Today: Disease has almost completely disappeared According to a 1992 medical report: *The Measles vaccine prevented 3.2 million deaths worldwide per year, *The Polio vaccine prevented 450,000 cases worldwide per year! Source: Rabbi Joseph Prouser, “Compulsory Immunization in Jewish Day Schools.” a responsum accepted By the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly. Is the Covid-19 vaccine dangerous? A very small number die as a result of receiving a vaccine: Whooping Cough (Pertussis) vaccine: 1 in 100,000 chance of encephalopathy 1 IN 300,000 irreversible neurological damage 1 in 30,000 chance unvaccinated will get Whooping Cough Smallpox vaccine: 0.7 per 100,000 will die from vaccine 10 in 100,000 who take daily aspirin will die 10 in 100,000 who drive daily will die Regarding the extremely small percentage of cases where a vaccine causes serious danger: "We do not take into consideration a tiny minority.” – Rabbi Hayim David Yosef Azulai (1724-1806) "We do not eliminate such a great benefit for the sake of such a tiny minority." -- Rabbi Avraham Nantzig (1785) If the chance of harm is 1 in one million, the million should annul concern over the one – Rabbi Herschel Schachter (b. 1941) Debunking the myth that vaccines cause Autism: 1998: Study published in the Lancet 12 doctors publish their claim that the Measles vaccine causes Autism 2005: 10 of the 12 physicians who had signed that study retract their support for the article. Lead 1998 researcher FALSIFIED results. Lead researcher lost his license as a physician as a result. 2010: The Lancet formally publishes a retraction, acknowledging original report was a lie. More than twenty studies (including one of over one million children) have been conducted and none found any link between the MMR vaccine and autism. There is absolutely no evidence that this vaccine or any other is linked to autism. Does Jewish law permit requiring vaccines? Jewish halakhic authorities have consistently held that: * We are individually required to get ourselves vaccinated and * We are obligated to require others to get the vaccine as well. Regarding Innoculation of varioli (variolation) (Different than vaccination: Placing infected pus under a healthy person’s skin to inoculate them): *Avraham ben Shlomo Nantzig wrote in (1785) passionately supporting "variolation" or "inoculation.” Two of his children died of smallpox. He saw inoculation as a fulfillment of Deuteronomy 4:15 “and you shall guard your souls (lives) exceedingly.” *Rabbi Yishmael Hacohen of Modena (1723-1811) justified the method of inoculation of varioli. Vaccines *Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810): “… they must set up paken [small pox vaccination] for every baby before a quarter of a year, because if not, he [the one who does not set up a vaccination for the baby] is like a shedder of blood, and even if they live far from the city, he must travel there, even when the cold is great, etc. (Reported by the Kuntress Hanhagot Yesharot). ---------------------------- *Rabbi Eleazar Fleckeles (Prague, 1754-1826) quotes his son-in-law, Rabbi ltzak Spitz of Breznitz, who was asked by the community of Tashkin: if the non-Jewish doctor only comes to the city for one day on Shabbat in order to give impfen (vaccine), is it permissible to bring the baby to him for vaccination on Shabbat? Rabbi Spitz: Yes. Why? Though it is preferable to do the vaccine on a weekday, if it's only possible on Shabbat, then the parents must do the vaccination on Shabbat, and it's better not to assist the doctor, but, if necessary, this should not be an obstacle “lest he delay and the blood of his sons is on his head.” ------------------------- *Rabbi Mordechai Banet (Moravia, 1753-1829) supported the campaign of his father Dr. Jonas Jeiteles to vaccinate the Jews of Prague against smallpox. *Rabbi Yisrael Lifshitz (Danzig, 1782-1860) permitted the smallpox vaccine. He learns this from Mishna Yoma 8:7 which states that “if a person was buried under a house which collapsed on Shabbat or Yorn Kippur, if they found him alive, they dig him out of the ruins.” Rabbi Lifshitz writes that the Mishnah applies even if as a result of being dug out he will only live for a short time (chayei sha’ah). He goes on to write: "And from this it seems to me permissible to make a pox inoculation, even though one in a thousand dies from the inoculation, in any case, if he develops natural smallpox, the danger is nearer, and therefore he may place himself in a distant danger to save himself from imminent danger.“ An Interesting Case from the Annals of British and Jewish Legal History 1896: Henry Levy arrested in London for refusing to vaccinate his son Grounds: it was against his religion! The Jewish prosecutor sought an opinion from British Chief Rabbi Hermann Adler. Rabbi Adler: this man "was not justified in making the statements contained in the letter; that the most competent medical authorities were agreed as to the vaccination being a prophylactic against smallpox and added that its use was in perfect consonance with the letter and spirit of Judaism. (as reported in Yehi Or, London 1897) Okay, we should get vaccinated… but Can we Require/Mandate Others to Get Vaccinated? Rabbi David Zvi Hoffman (1843-1921) ruled on a similar issue: If a child needs an operation and at least 2/3 of the doctors in the city agree that the surgery is necessary… “then surely the opinion of the father and the mother does not make a difference, for it says in Yoreh Deah 336 that a doctor is obligated to heal, and if he prevents himself from healing, then he is shedding blood. “And we have not found in the entire Torah that a father and mother have permission to endanger the lives of their children and prevent the doctor from healing them.
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    The ultra-Orthodox women visit the Rabin Center and look at a wall with graffiti that was done by youth the week after the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. Photo credit: Base for Discussion (B4D) Peacebuilding in practice #1 Influential ultra-Orthodox women are change agents for peace Interpeace’s engagement with ultra-Orthodox women aims to promote the emergence of a new women leadership that is representative of the ultra-Orthodox population in Israel and at the same time committed to dialogue and peace. Influential ultra-Orthodox women are change agents for peace All Rights Reserved, Interpeace, 2014 The ideas, reflexions, and commentaries contained herein are the exclusive responsibility of Interpeace. To- tal or partial reproduction is authorized provided attribution to the source document is properly acknowl- edged. The ultra-Orthodox women visit the Rabbin Center and meet with Rabin’s daughter, Dalia Rabin, who is pictured fourth from right. Photo credit: Base for Discussion (B4D) Peacebuilding in practice #1: Influential ultra-Orthodox women are change agents for peace Background Up until now high-level peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine have lacked broad-based public participation. Without that support, all outcomes from the negotiation table are at much higher risk of failure. Within Israel, there are key sectors of the population that have not been involved in peace initiatives, but who have an influence on the peace process. Most peace initiatives have focused on those in Israel who are already part of the peace camp. If a future accord is to bring lasting peace, it is essential that sidelined groups are brought into the peace process, especially as there will potentially be a referendum on the subject.
  • Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: Sectorial Party Leader Or a Social Revolutionary? - National Israel News | Haaretz

    Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: Sectorial Party Leader Or a Social Revolutionary? - National Israel News | Haaretz

    10/8/13 Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: Sectorial party leader or a social revolutionary? - National Israel News | Haaretz SUBSCRIBE TO HAARETZ DIGITAL EDITIONS TheMarker Café ISRAEL MINT עכבר העיר TheMarker הארץ Haaretz.com Jewish World News Hello Desire Pr ofile Log ou t Do you think I'm You hav e v iewed 1 of 10 articles. subscri be now sexy? Esquire does Search Haaretz.com Tuesday, October 08, 2013 Cheshvan 4, 5774 NEWS OPINION JEWISH WORLD BUSINESS TRAVEL CULTURE WEEKEND BLOGS ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BROADCAST ISRAEL NEWS Rabbi Ovadia Y osef World Bank report Israel's brain drain Word of the Day Syria Like 83k Follow BREAKING NEWS 1:3219 PM Anbnoouut n10c eSmyerinatn osf t Nryo tboe cl rpohsyss oicvse pr rbizoer dlaeur rfeantcee d ienltaoy Iesdr,a nelo ( Hdeataarielstz g)iven (AP) More Breaking News Home New s National Analysis || Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: Sectorial party leader or HAARETZ SELECT a social revolutionary? To see the greatness of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, one must look separately at Ovadia A and Ovadia B. By Yair Ettinger | Oct. 8, 2013 | 9:03 AM | 1 7 people recommend this. Be the first of your 1 Tw eet 3 Recommend Send friends. The Israel Air Force flyover at Auschwitz: A crass, superficial display Why the Americans could not hav e bombed the death camp until July 1 944, and why the 2003 fly ov er there was a mistake. A response to Ari Shav it. By Yehuda Bauer | Magazine On Twitter, nothing is sacred - not even Rabbi Ovadia Yosef By Allison Kaplan Sommer | Routine Emergencies Ary eh Deri, (L), a political kingmaker and head of Shas, holding the hand of the party 's spiritual leader, Rabbi Ov adia Yosef in 1 999.