Transcript Introduction to Jewish Ethics

Introduction to Jewish Ethics
• Jewish bioethics in the
contemporary era
emerges from the
traditional practice of
applying principles of
Jewish law (Halacha)
to ethical dilemmas
Introduction to Jewish Ethics
• The Bible (written
law) and the Talmud
(oral law) are the
foundational texts on
which such
deliberations are based
Introduction to Jewish Ethics
• Interpretation of
passages in these texts
attempts to identify the
duties of physicians,
patients and families
faced with difficult
health care decisions
Introduction to Jewish Ethics
• Although Jewish law
is an integral
consideration of
religiously observant
Jews, secularized
Jewish patients often
welcome the wisdom
of their tradition when
considering treatment
options
Introduction to Jewish Ethics
• Jewish bioethics
exemplifies how an
ethical system based
on duties may differ
from the secular
rights-based model
prevalent in Australia,
North America
Introduction to Jewish Ethics
• What is Jewish
bioethics?
• There is no simple
answer to this
question.
Introduction to Jewish Ethics
• The relationship
between Jewish law
(halakha), Jewish
ethics, and the ethical
principles of general
society are navigated
differently by different
Jewish authorities.
Introduction to Jewish Ethics
• However, there is one
principle that can be
singled out for its
prominence in Jewish
bioethical discourse:
the sanctity of human
life and the duty to
save and preserve it
wherever possible
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• halakha
• (Hebrew, 'way of going')
• Jewish LAW.
ORTHODOX JUDAISM
teaches that the entire
legal system goes back to
MOSES, who received the
TORAH from God on
MOUNT SINAI
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• The halakhah is made
up of the WRITTEN
LAW, as recorded in
the PENTATEUCH,
and the ORAL LAW,
which includes later
RESPONSA as well as
established customs
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• During the period of
the TEMPLE the
SADDUCEES denied
the authority of the
oral law; this view was
also adopted later by
the KARAITES
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• However, the oral law
was collected by
JUDAH HA-NASI in
the MISHNAH, and
the discussions of the
AMORAIM are
recorded in the
TALMUD
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• Subsequently Jewish
law was codified in
such works as the
MISHNEH TORAH
by MAIMONIDES
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• ORTHODOXY accepts
the halakhah as binding,
PROGRESSIVE
JUDAISM has adapted it
to contemporary life. This
process has been
condemned by Orthodox
Jews
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• Talmud
• Name of the two
collections of records of
the discussion and
administration of Jewish
law by scholars in various
ACADEMIES from c.200
to c.500
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• Talmud
• Both contain the
MISHNAH together with
GEMARA (commentary
and supplement to the
Mishnah text). In addition,
both contain AGGADIC
digressions
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• tzelem elohim
• The notion that all human
beings were created in
God's image is based on
Genesis 1:25 ('So God
created man in his own
image; in the image of
God created he him; male
and female created he
them').
KEY TERMINOLOGY
• tzelem elohim
• Jewish commentators
differ as to the meaning of
this verse; some, including
the 12th-century Jewish
philosopher Moses
MAIMONIDES, argue
that since God has no
body, this text should not
be understood literally.