Judaism
The Tradition
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God,
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Sources,
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Organization:
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Calendar
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Prayer
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Views on the Moral Life
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God is one: "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one."
Human beings as God's central creation.
Human beings created in the image of God.
Human beings endowed with free will, inclination to do good/inclination to do evil. (Yetzer hatov / yetzer hara)
Process of teshuva (repentance / return ) to right our path
Path to God through action, not faithful contemplation
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Experience of Sinai: God's words, human accounts of the experience, human beings interpretation of how God works in the world.
Revelation through word of the Hebrew Bible, interpretive tradition of the Rabbis, our interpretations today.
Interpretive tradition (oral law / "unwritten Torah"): Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash, Biblical commentaries Legal codes
The above are the constitution, statutes and cases of the halakhic legal system
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Decentralized leadership.
Nothing comparable to Pope.
Different rabbinic authorities recognized by different movements/sects
Sectarianism/ Disunity – Ultra Orthodox Mod. Orthodox Conservative Reform Reconstructonist Non-affiliated
Religious leadership vs. Secular leadership (fund-raising, fund allocation)
Half of rabbis in non-pulpit positions.
No vows taken by rabbis.
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Integration of lunar and solar calendars: New month – New moon
Holidays –must occur in their seasons.
Shabbat – at core of Jewish life, day of rest and celebration of the essences of Life.
The Holidays- Religious, national, penitential, (High Holidays), Israeli
Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Succot, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, Yom Ha'tzmaut, Yom Hashoah, Shavout, Tisha, B'av
The year 5760 since creation
Calendar date begins in evening after sunset.
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Fulfilling the Mitzvot - Commandments Intersection of the ethical and ritual.
Halakha frames this religious life
Torah, Avoda, vigimeeloot chasadim –study, service, prayer, and good deeds.
"Study is more important than action, because study leads to action" Naaseh vinishma, (Do then understand)
3 required daily prayer services – core blessings, some medieval liturgical poetry
Community is vital
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Maimonides: "The Golden Mean"
Moderation, the middle path between Humility/pride Anger/repress Etc.
Anti-ascetic.
Family, self-sustenance, education, ethical and ritual precepts.
Primacy of human life.
Land of Israel
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Judaism
Perspectives on Health Care Issues
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Notions of Body & Spirit
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Individual Autonomy vs Community
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Views on Rx: Transfusion
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Views on Sustaining vs.
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Who's at the
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G-d is the ultimate healer, the physician is his agent
Maimonides as Model of Physician
Maimonides Prayer
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Individual welfare is generally paramount, though there are situations where the welfare of the community is placed above the individual.
All people have free will and make autonomous decisions.
Many will make important decisions in consultation with rabbinic authority (Rav).
There is an understanding that the person asking will abide by the decision of the Rav.
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Transfusions are licit
Organ transplant and donation are allowed for vital organs. There is a question about cornea donation.
Autopsies are only permitted if they will be of direct benefit to specific living people.
Autopsies, when done, are as limited as possible. As much tissue and blood as possible are buried with the body.
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It is not necessary to prolong suffering simply to extend the life of a patient with a terminal condition.
Treatments including life-support, do not have to be instituted, even if this will shorten survival.
Euthanasia and Suicide (assisted or not) are not permitted.
There are methods by which life support can, in effect, be withdrawn in some circumstances.
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It is a religious commandment (Mitzvah) incumbent upon all to visit the sick.
Many communities have organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of the sick and their families.
Bodies should not be left unattended from the time of death until burial.
Members of the community make up an organization (Chevra Kaddisha) which prepares bodies for burial
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