On Suicide - Source Text Genesis 9:5
Torah Study 6/6 led by Rabbi Sarah Wolf
Source text dealing with the topic of suicide.
Genesis 9:5
Rashi – clarifies this to include all forms of suicide including those that do not shed blood.
There is no prohibition of suicide in Talmud.
Exceptions in the Bible: Saul ‘falls on his sword’ before he could be killed by others. In Daniel - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego throw themselves into the fire to avoid profanation of God’s name.
This is the start of setting up the Noahkite laws of basic human behavior.
It is a human job to set up a system of justice to control their behavior.
Talmudic commentary there is a conflict of opinions – but clearly there is a worry about people harming themselves.
Questions: IF one takes their own life – How does God get satisfaction?
What does it mean? What is the punishment? The harm is to the family and community not to the person who commits suicide.
Definition of suicide: Rambam and Schulchan Aruch - make it difficult to rule almost anything a suicide – this is for the sake of the living to allow the Jewish rituals of mourning.
Difference between Suicide and Martyrdom.
Traifa - Person who has an organ failing - “on death’s door” - in Sanhedrin has discussion on when a person is dying – you are not allowed to help this person die. However, a person who is ‘traifa’ is not liable for crimes no longer fully living – not fully there.
Talmudic story: Rabbi who was on his death bed but cannot die because his students were praying for him to live. The Rabbi’s Servant broke a pot to distract them from their prayer. In that moment the Rabbi dies.
Assisted Suicide – modern interpretation – after end of verse – R. Yakov Metlinburg: 2 words for person ‘Adam’ Kills with knowledge vs ‘Ish’ with mercy - 2 different terms – for vengeance to the victim vs for good of victim. There is a difference based on the motivation.
Story: If a King says kill that person or you will be killed. - Can’t decide whose life is more important.
Another story: 2 people in desert with only enough water for one – the decision is to save one life.
Should take care of self and not let both die.
Prolonging Life – there are also arguments against undue prolonging of life.
Case of when Animals kill people – the animal is to be put to death and no one is to eat the meat.
Rambam – beast that kills a man – flesh cannot be used as a punishment to the owner. It is not punishment to the animal.
He interprets verse – from the hand of animal require reckoning – when a person uses an animal to kill a person.
Summary: - about the preservation of life and reminding us of how precious life is. A reminder that our life is not entirely ours.
Source text dealing with the topic of suicide.
Genesis 9:5
"And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man.”
9:6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
Rashi – clarifies this to include all forms of suicide including those that do not shed blood.
There is no prohibition of suicide in Talmud.
Exceptions in the Bible: Saul ‘falls on his sword’ before he could be killed by others. In Daniel - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego throw themselves into the fire to avoid profanation of God’s name.
This is the start of setting up the Noahkite laws of basic human behavior.
It is a human job to set up a system of justice to control their behavior.
Talmudic commentary there is a conflict of opinions – but clearly there is a worry about people harming themselves.
Three ‘sins’ where you can break halacha ‘law’ to save a life: Idolatry, Rape, Murder
Questions: IF one takes their own life – How does God get satisfaction?
What does it mean? What is the punishment? The harm is to the family and community not to the person who commits suicide.
Definition of suicide: Rambam and Schulchan Aruch - make it difficult to rule almost anything a suicide – this is for the sake of the living to allow the Jewish rituals of mourning.
Difference between Suicide and Martyrdom.
Traifa - Person who has an organ failing - “on death’s door” - in Sanhedrin has discussion on when a person is dying – you are not allowed to help this person die. However, a person who is ‘traifa’ is not liable for crimes no longer fully living – not fully there.
Talmudic story: Rabbi who was on his death bed but cannot die because his students were praying for him to live. The Rabbi’s Servant broke a pot to distract them from their prayer. In that moment the Rabbi dies.
Assisted Suicide – modern interpretation – after end of verse – R. Yakov Metlinburg: 2 words for person ‘Adam’ Kills with knowledge vs ‘Ish’ with mercy - 2 different terms – for vengeance to the victim vs for good of victim. There is a difference based on the motivation.
Story: If a King says kill that person or you will be killed. - Can’t decide whose life is more important.
Another story: 2 people in desert with only enough water for one – the decision is to save one life.
Should take care of self and not let both die.
Prolonging Life – there are also arguments against undue prolonging of life.
Case of when Animals kill people – the animal is to be put to death and no one is to eat the meat.
Rambam – beast that kills a man – flesh cannot be used as a punishment to the owner. It is not punishment to the animal.
He interprets verse – from the hand of animal require reckoning – when a person uses an animal to kill a person.
Summary: - about the preservation of life and reminding us of how precious life is. A reminder that our life is not entirely ours.
posted by Chavarah @ 6:43 AM
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