SELECTED REFORM RESPONSA

legal right to refuse medical treatment, and I accept the consequences of this refusal. Signed Witness..... WHNeSS......c0nipicnsennssaness

Designation Clause(optional) Should I become comatose, incompetent Or otherwise mentally or physically incapable of communication, I authorize presently residing at to make treatment decisions on my behalf in accordance with my Living Will Declaration and my understanding of Judaism . I have discussed my wishes concerning terminal care with this person, and 1 trust his/her judgment on my behalf.

WINess..........-sinseiunss WItNESS.....iccoeavnuineis

#If| have not designated a proxy as provided above, I understand that my Living Will Declaration shall nevertheless be given effect should the appropriate circumstances arise.

The various statutes specifically exclude chronic debilitating diseases such as Alzheimers which are not life threatening and attemp! to deal with other problems as well.

This approach raises many questions about traditional and modern Jewish perceptions of life and death. Is this akin to suicide of euthanasia? Suicide has always been considered a major sin(A. Z. 183, Semahot 2.2: Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 345.2) and even its contemplation was considered wrong. We have also felt that euthanasi? is not consistent with our tradition(W. Jacob ed., American Reform Responsa#78, 79). We may see from the arguments presented in these two responsa that nothing positive may be done to encourage death, however, the"Living Will " is not euthanasia, but an instrument 0! antidysthanonic. Our tradition has felt that a goses(dying person) should also not be kept from dying after all hope for recovery has passed, and

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