On Monday,, Governor Jerry Brown (California) signed the End of Life Option Act, an extremely controversial bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide. Prior to the Governor’s action, Rabbi Hershy Ten, President of Bikur Cholim (Los Angeles), submitted a letter requesting the Governor’s veto of said bill. Bikur Cholim’s letter was endorsed by the Rabbinical Council of California, Agudath Israel of California, Agudath Israel of Los Angeles Bais Avigdor, and Chabad (Greater Los Angeles), as well as strongly supported by several leading Halachic and bio-ethics authorities including, Rabbi J. David Bleich (NY), Rabbi Moshe D. Tendler (NY), and Rabbi Shlomo E. Miller (Toronto).
In his letter, Rabbi Ten stated, “In Judaism, the sanctity and infinite value of human life is a fundamental principle, as is a physician’s obligation t o heal. However when all medical efforts fail, and the physician is left with no further treatment options, then their role changes from that of healer to one who provides supportive and palliative care combined with psychosocial support. No matter how valiant the intentions a physician-assisted suicide may appear, the deed constitutes an unconscionable taking of human life. In Jewish law, any act intended to accelerate a patient’s death; even by only a matter of moments, is contrary to our tenets and beliefs.
Judaism demands that everything possible be done to alleviate a terminal patient’s suffering. Intractable pain relief is a paramount responsibility of the physician, and today’s medicine offers a variety of methods for its relief. There is no objection in Jewish law that prohibits the use of medication to control a terminal patient’s pain at any time.”
In response to Governor Brown signing this bill into law, Rabbi Ten stated, “W e are extremely distressed by physician-assisted suicide becoming legal. In addition to being contrary to Jewish principles, the law in its current form presents serious deficiencies that open the door to potential coercion of patients, regardless of their faith, when they are in their most vulnerable state; physically, emotionally, and financially. Our focus now is to engage the Governor’s office and State Assembly during the regulatory process with the goal of including specific provisions and amendments that would appropriately protect patients.”
Agudath Israel of California has been actively involved with the State Legislature regarding this issue and stated they will continue to work on ways to improve and add safeguards to this legislation .
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It’s only a matter of time before certain types of euthenasia will become mandatory. It starts with legitimizing murder.
Already some have called for legalizing “abortion” in case of poverty until the child is FOUR YEARS OLD!!
Eventually, killing the elderly and other so-called “useless” members of society will be mandatory. After all, they will argue, they are a useless drain on resources and contribute nothing, they will argue. This has happened before, such as in Sparta and elsewhere. America will be no better.