We also need a clear definition of the"end stage of life" and should look at contemporary medical research for it. With the modern technology available to us, it is legitimate to define that stage by specific conditions rather than a time frame. For example, an irreversable coma, brain death, the recognized final painful stages of various forms of cancer, AIDS, Hungtingon’s Chorea, and other diseases for which there is neither a cure nor a way of halting the progress of the disease.
When these stages have been reached, we may consider the person a goses, and halt all treatment. I would advocate going further and assisting to a painless death.
RESPECT FOR LIFE AND THE GOOD LIFE
Let us continue by discussing the decisions which will face the patient and the family. There is an underlying respect for human life from Biblical times onward. Both the later halakhic and aggadic traditions clearly demonstrate a respect for life as a Divine gift, as initially expressed in the Genesis story. In that tale it is the Divine breath of life through which"man becomes a living soul." For the rabbis of the Talmud the first commandment of the Bible is"Be fruitful and multiply".
Our love of life must lead to a desire to perpetuate it and so every human must do his/her best to continue it into the next generation. Marriage and procreation have always been high on our agenda®.
When human life was in danger, every commandment except murder, adultery and idolatry could be trespassed in order to save a human life, Jewish or Gentile. Piquah nefesh therefore overrode all other obligations including the stringent restrictions on the Sabbath. Furthermore, all medical efforts must be made by the attending physician and the staff in order to preserve human life. There is a long series of discussions on this matter which stretches from the Talmud to the present day and the answer in every case of true danger is positive.”
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