Psak Halacha
Regarding attempts to pass “Death with Dignity” legislation:
Even a few votes can make a major difference, both by legislators and the public—sometimes the vote of a single legislator can decide the fate of these laws—as is evidenced by the recent vote in the New Jersey State Assembly (in November 2014), where an assisted suicide bill was passed by just one vote. We have seen in several recent races in Jewish neighborhoods, that even a handful of votes can make the difference in the outcome of the election[3]. Furthermore, some legislators keep track of the calls that are made to their offices on particular controversial issues, and vote according to their results.
May the Creator of all life grace us with the merit to save innocent lives, fulfilling our role as an or legoyim (light unto the nations). In that merit, may we help usher in the Final Redemption by Moshiach Tzidkeinu.
Rabbonim are listed alphabetically.
Mordechai Chaim Auerbach, Monsey
Eliyahu Ben-Haim, RIETS/Kehillah Yotzei Mashad
Haim Benoliel, Bnai Yosef/Mikdash Melech
Gad Bouskila, Netivot Israel
Yitzchok M. Braun, Shaaray Zion
Shlomo Breslauer, Bais Tefiloh
Eliyahu Brog, Bais Yisroel
Simcha Bunim Cohen, Khal Ateres Yeshaya
Yitzchok Cohen, Yeshiva University RIETS
Moshe Donnebaum, Hechel Hatorah/Adas Yisroel/Melbourne
Menachem Fisher, Vien Monsey
Noson Yermia Goldstein, mechaber of “Migdalos Noson”
Avrohom Gordimer, Coalition for Jewish Values
Shmuel Gorelick, Mesivta Ohel Torah
Moshe Green, Yeshivah D’Monsey
Yisroel Dovid Harfenes, Yisroel Vehazmanim
Boruch Hirschfeld, Ahavas Yisroel, Cleveland
Zalman Leib Hollander, Khal Nachlas Moshe, Spring Valley, NY
Shmuel Kamenetsky, Talmudical Academy of Philadelphia
Yosef Meir Kantor, Cong. Agudath Israel of Monsey
Elya Nota Katz, Stamford Yeshiva
Eliezer Langer, Cong. Israel, Poughkeepsie, NY
Yeshaye Gedalye Kaufman, Hisachdus Moetz, Kruleh Dometz
Amram Klein, Ungvar
Shloime Ben Zion Kokis, Zichron Mordechai
Grainom Lazewnik, Khal Adar Gbir
Philip Lefkowitz, Jackson, NJ; mult. congregations in US, UK & Canada
Moshe Tuvia Lieff, Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin
Shmuel Miller, Yeshiva Bais Yisroel
Avrohom Yaakov Nelkenbaum, Mirrer Yeshiva
Yechiel Perr, Yeshiva of Far Rockaway
Steven Pruzansky, Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck
Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff, YU Gruss Kollel
Avrohom Reich, Hatzolas Yisroel
Dovid Ribiat, mechaber “The 39 Melochos”
Yosef Yitzchok Rosenfeld, Monsey Dometz
Chaim Schabes, Knesses Yisroel
Dovid Schustal, Bais Medrash Govoha, Lakewood
Yaakov Shulman, Talmud Torah of Flatbush
Moshe Silberberg, Shuvu/mechaber “Zichron Tzvi Meir”
Moshe Soloveitchik, Chicago
Yitzchok Sorotzkin, Mesivta of Lakewood
Tzvi Steinberg, Kahal Zera Avraham, Denver
Shlomo Stern, Debreciner Rov
Elazar Mayer Teitz, Chief Rabbi of Elizabeth, NJ
Elya Ber Wachtfogel, Yeshiva of South Fallsburg
Boruch Hersh Waldman, Siach Yitzchok, Suffern
Moshe Weissman, Ohel Moshe
Benjamin Yudin, Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, NJ
Yeruchum Zeilberger, Stamford Yeshiva
Gavriel Zinner, Nitei Gavriel
Institutions are listed for identification purposes only.
[1] as is currently in New Jersey [2] such as Washington state and Oregon
[3] most noticeably (demonstrated) in the Senate election between David Storobin and Lew Fidler, where Storobin won by less than 20 votes.
Sponsored by Jews for Torah Values
jewsfortorahvalues@gmail.com
The chiyuv (Torah injunction) of “Lo sa’amod al dam re’echa”, obligates everyone to do what he or she can, to help prevent assisted suicide and/or euthanasia.
Allowing the legalization of “assisted suicide”, even if this particular law in practice would only result in assisting a suicide and not euthanasia, is to allow shefichas-domim (bloodshed). Furthermore even rendering such actions not being subject to prosecution, is allowing shefichas-domim (bloodshed), al achas kama vekama (how much more so), in cases of assisted suicide leading to euthanasia.Voting on the basis of this issue. This obligation would include:
1) Thus, when voting for any public official, this issue must be considered as top priority, certainly overriding financial considerations, government programs, etc. By voting for people who support these laws, we become accountable for their actions. This ruling would still apply even if these laws were to be passed, we would still be forbidden to vote for legislators who voted for these laws. This is the most important way to fulfill our obligation.
2) Urging one’s legislators to vote against these bills, if and when they arise[1] and to urge the governor to veto such bill, were it to pass the legislature.
3) Helping in efforts to repeal such laws, in areas[2] where such legislation was already passed.
Even a few votes can make a major difference, both by legislators and the public—sometimes the vote of a single legislator can decide the fate of these laws—as is evidenced by the recent vote in the New Jersey State Assembly (in November 2014), where an assisted suicide bill was passed by just one vote. We have seen in several recent races in Jewish neighborhoods, that even a handful of votes can make the difference in the outcome of the election[3]. Furthermore, some legislators keep track of the calls that are made to their offices on particular controversial issues, and vote according to their results.
May the Creator of all life grace us with the merit to save innocent lives, fulfilling our role as an or legoyim (light unto the nations). In that merit, may we help usher in the Final Redemption by Moshiach Tzidkeinu.
Rabbonim are listed alphabetically.
Mordechai Chaim Auerbach, Monsey
Eliyahu Ben-Haim, RIETS/Kehillah Yotzei Mashad
Haim Benoliel, Bnai Yosef/Mikdash Melech
Gad Bouskila, Netivot Israel
Yitzchok M. Braun, Shaaray Zion
Shlomo Breslauer, Bais Tefiloh
Eliyahu Brog, Bais Yisroel
Simcha Bunim Cohen, Khal Ateres Yeshaya
Yitzchok Cohen, Yeshiva University RIETS
Moshe Donnebaum, Hechel Hatorah/Adas Yisroel/Melbourne
Menachem Fisher, Vien Monsey
Noson Yermia Goldstein, mechaber of “Migdalos Noson”
Avrohom Gordimer, Coalition for Jewish Values
Shmuel Gorelick, Mesivta Ohel Torah
Moshe Green, Yeshivah D’Monsey
Yisroel Dovid Harfenes, Yisroel Vehazmanim
Boruch Hirschfeld, Ahavas Yisroel, Cleveland
Zalman Leib Hollander, Khal Nachlas Moshe, Spring Valley, NY
Shmuel Kamenetsky, Talmudical Academy of Philadelphia
Yosef Meir Kantor, Cong. Agudath Israel of Monsey
Elya Nota Katz, Stamford Yeshiva
Eliezer Langer, Cong. Israel, Poughkeepsie, NY
Yeshaye Gedalye Kaufman, Hisachdus Moetz, Kruleh Dometz
Amram Klein, Ungvar
Shloime Ben Zion Kokis, Zichron Mordechai
Grainom Lazewnik, Khal Adar Gbir
Philip Lefkowitz, Jackson, NJ; mult. congregations in US, UK & Canada
Moshe Tuvia Lieff, Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin
Shmuel Miller, Yeshiva Bais Yisroel
Avrohom Yaakov Nelkenbaum, Mirrer Yeshiva
Yechiel Perr, Yeshiva of Far Rockaway
Steven Pruzansky, Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck
Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff, YU Gruss Kollel
Avrohom Reich, Hatzolas Yisroel
Dovid Ribiat, mechaber “The 39 Melochos”
Yosef Yitzchok Rosenfeld, Monsey Dometz
Chaim Schabes, Knesses Yisroel
Dovid Schustal, Bais Medrash Govoha, Lakewood
Yaakov Shulman, Talmud Torah of Flatbush
Moshe Silberberg, Shuvu/mechaber “Zichron Tzvi Meir”
Moshe Soloveitchik, Chicago
Yitzchok Sorotzkin, Mesivta of Lakewood
Tzvi Steinberg, Kahal Zera Avraham, Denver
Shlomo Stern, Debreciner Rov
Elazar Mayer Teitz, Chief Rabbi of Elizabeth, NJ
Elya Ber Wachtfogel, Yeshiva of South Fallsburg
Boruch Hersh Waldman, Siach Yitzchok, Suffern
Moshe Weissman, Ohel Moshe
Benjamin Yudin, Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, NJ
Yeruchum Zeilberger, Stamford Yeshiva
Gavriel Zinner, Nitei Gavriel
Institutions are listed for identification purposes only.
[1] as is currently in New Jersey [2] such as Washington state and Oregon
[3] most noticeably (demonstrated) in the Senate election between David Storobin and Lew Fidler, where Storobin won by less than 20 votes.
Sponsored by Jews for Torah Values
jewsfortorahvalues@gmail.com
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