In light of today’s availability of genetic testing, Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita is calling upon young couples to be tested prior to families making a vort.
While the number of Ashkenazi couples performing genetic testing in recent years has been on the rise, the same cannot be said for Sephardim. In fact, most Sephardim have not been tested to date.
Rav Yosef, who is also Av Beis Din of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Supreme Beis Din is instructing young Sephardim to submit to the testing prior to a vort. The rav in his shiur announced the program is called “Dor Yesharim” and it is available to anyone wishing to avail himself to the service. The Rishon L’tzion tells of a colleague from his days in Chevron Yeshiva “Who till this very day suffers the consequences of not having genetic testing done”.
The rav explains the advances made in genetic testing and how it is worthwhile for Sephardim as it is for Ashkenazim. “Therefore I call on all Sephardim to get tested before holding a vort to avoid any problems chas v’sholom” the rav announced.
Rav Yosef added that it is important to have this done before a vort since this represents Erusin, and this is difficult to undo or many may be too embarrassed to do, or simply they may say “it is too late now” so therefore it must be done before a vort even if the shidduch must be delayed a number of days.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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8 Responses
What diseases are they talking about? Tay Sachs? What happens if the tests show a problem? What are the next steps?
Do it before they date, not when they’re almost ready to get engaged.
The only problem is that Dor Yesharim checks for Ashkenazi diseases not Sephardi diseases so it is kind of useless for sephardim
Dor Yesharim tests for Ashkenazi diseases because that’s where the demand is, not because they are discriminating. If tests are available, and there is demand for them from the Sephardi community, I’m sure Dor Yesharim will add them to their available testing.
In frum circles in the ashkenazi world,this is done before the first meeting.
Dor Yesharim do not test sefardim,as they are not carriers of tay sachs,etc.
So just as they have kept expanding the scope of the program for Ashkenazim and included more and more diseases, they can now begin adding those relevant to Sefardim.
Wow nice, the Sefardim admit that we Aschkenazim had them beat on this. Almost every boy and girl is tested by Dor Yeshorim in HS and then the data is compared before a date. If the comparison is positive, they just dont meet or break it off. I’m sure that testing can be developed for Sefardim too.
I know of a reputable U.S.-based non-profit program called JScreen (Jscreen.org) that tests for Ashkenazi and Sephardic diseases. People can sign up online and screen from home and even receive complimentary genetic counseling.