Isn't it Humane to Put Him out of His Misery?
Divine Code for November 29, 2022
Today: Page 319
Topic 1:16 -- 1:17
Mercy killing is forbidden even if the patient is suffering and wants his life to be ended. We have no mastery over another person's life. A person shoul always recognize that there is a Master and Creator of everyting. A human life is in the hand of G-d alone.
But one need not prevent a terminally ill or mortally wounded person from dying, and it is permissible to let him die if that is his true wish, provided he is an adult and this is his considered decision, and he knows his true condition. He is permitted to put himself in a passive situation where his terminal illness will take its natural course, if he will not be actively violating any commandment.
One should be careful to hasten someone's dying process by touching someone. It is commendable to help or save someone, but from the moment the doctor knows it is impossible to help the dying person, it is forbidden to touch him or her.
Palliative sedation, giving medication to lower consciousness and thereby reduce pain, is allowed because it is only a form of pain control and will not directly cause death.
If a patient himself decides to stop eating and drinking, it is allowed if there is no chance of the patient getting better.
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Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
The Divine Code 4e edition by rabbi Moshe Weiner
With thanks to rabbi Moshe Perets
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