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“oomis1105: I find it funny that you are arguing with the Chazon Ish”
SJSinNYC is correct. I would never presume to argue with the Chazon Ish, even if he were still alive. However, you quoted your recollection of his words, and I made my point that if you follow that logic(as I do not, clearly), then what I stated would also appear to make sense (and we both know that it does not, because anyone who would refrain from seeking necessary medical treatment based on such logic, would be a fool).
Areivim, by their own admission, is not an insurance plan.
The Wolf
people die therefore why would it against hashkafah?
The alleged quote of the chazon notwithstanding.
In my opinion people dont have for one of two reasons. they cant afford it or they dont care about their loved ones after they die. I’ll allow the possible exception of they are wealthy and dont need it.
Rav Yisroel Yaakov Fisher (Even Yisroel 9:161) was asked if it is proper to insist that every member of the community purchase life insurance so that the burden of supporting the Almana and Yesomim does not fall on the tzibbur?
First of all says Rav Fisher, I don’t understand why money is collected to marry off Yesomim, while they are still children. If you tell me it is because they invest the money and then there is more later on, I can accept that. Nevertheless, I don’t think you can obligate people to buy life insurance. Without the protection of life insurance, Hashem would be more inclined to keep the family’s natural bread winner alive in the zechus of the wife and children. Once there is life insurance this zechus is irrelevant.
Furthermore, says Rav Fisher, the collection of funds for Yesomim and Almanos is a great zechus for Klal Yisroel. Life insurance will rob us of the zechusim of tzedoka and chessed that are so dearly need in our situation, Hashem Yirachem.
Life insurance will rob us of the zechusim of tzedoka and chessed that are so dearly need in our situation, Hashem Yirachem.
By the same token, vaccinations rob us of the zechusim of bikkur cholim.
The Wolf
“By the same token, vaccinations rob us of the zechusim of bikkur cholim.”
You don’t see a difference between a monetary need, that can be fulfilled with tzedaka, and a health need, that cannot?
Here is a shiur on Rav Moshe’s Teshuva on Life Insurance
http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/757160/Rabbi_Shmuel_Marcus/Insurance_vs._Bitachon
“Without the protection of life insurance, Hashem would be more inclined to keep the family’s natural bread winner alive in the zechus of the wife and children. Once there is life insurance this zechus is irrelevant.”
“Life insurance will rob us of the zechusim of tzedoka and chessed that are so dearly need in our situation, Hashem Yirachem.”
We don’t second guess Hashem’s ways and we certainly don’t create dismal situations so that people will have an opportunity to give tzedaka. Who wants to offer themselves as the karbon? As it is said, “don’t be a tzadik on someone else’s shoulders!”
are you talking to me or to the author of that sh”ut statement in Even Yisroel (rav yisroel yaakov fisher ztl)??
Wolf. I am not endorsing the areivim plan, nor am I calling it life insurance. Whatever the areivim plan might be, one thing is certain, it is looking for a means to provide for an almannah and yesomim r’l, as opposed to sitting back and relying on emunah. Some of the signers (at least) follow the hashkafa and psak halacha of the chazon ish and nevertheless endorse the program.
There is really no discussion to be had. The default answer is yes, if you are a responsible person – frum Jew or no – you should have life insurance sufficient to cover the needs of your dependents (including spouses and/or dependent parents as the situation applies). There is no logical argument to be made any other way.
The only reason you would answer no is if you have a specific psak telling you not to have life insurance (as has been recounted by one poster in the CR that I can recall). In this case, follow the psak not to have insurance. Otherwise, see the above.
Some people have a budgetary issue, which is an entirely different story. Programs exist – such as the TU campaign to buy insurance for Rebbeim – which are designed to help those who can’t afford insurance. Because it is that important to have that it transcends affordability.
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