Speaking to Kol Chai Radio host Mordechai Lavi, Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger Shlita on Tuesday, 13, Tishrei, warned residents working in Israel’s government hospitals that they should not strike, warning of the dangers of such a move.
The rav explains that our Torah directs us as to how we must live our lives, and safeguarding a life is of paramount importance, using this to turn to the residents to abandon plans to walk off the job, warning of the lives that may be lost as a result of their actions.
Regarding the claims by the residents of their unacceptably low salaries, “Please realize that rabbis are physicians for the soul. The doctors save lives and we, the rabbis, for comparison sake, save souls. As much as they tried increasing out salaries, I believe the doctors earn more.
“If rabbis do not strike, we understand from this the mission, Avodas Kodesh as is the case with doctors”.
The rabbi stated the doctors deserve a fair wage but this must be accomplished by sitting around the negotiating table and not by taking drastic action that may result in the loss of lives.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
The Government does not seem to understand that the doctors are not on strike, they quit. All those who have left have tendered their resignations. There is a very major difference between a strike and quiting and not to acknowledge this will only prolong the chaos.
My personal sympathies are totally with the doctors. They are not only fighting for a fair wage but to save the health system. The present system is falling to pieces. Just one item illustrates as to how neglected the system is. There is a major shortage of hospital beds in Yerusaliim nevertheless Bikur Holim is being forced into bankruptcy by the Government. There are as well dozens of major communities in Israel without hospitals. Without a major overhaul of the system it will collapse.
Aryeh Zelasko
Beit Shemesh