Every person in Israel who is able to express their wishes clearly and with legal competency can dictate their wishes for their future medical care by providing advance directives. For example, a person can instruct that if they become terminally ill and lose consciousness, the team should abstain from performing CPR on him. There are various types of advance directives nowadays and the laws of the State of Israel provide unique power to an advance directive signed in front of a doctor or certified nurse and submitted to the Health Ministry database.

Yes! Whether you have been diagnosed with a disease or if you’ve reached old age, advance directives express your wishes regarding future medical care and assist your caretaking family in making decisions. Advance directives help express a number of fundamental values.

“Man’s heart will determine his path” (Mishlei 16:9) – Defining My Values and Wishes – Advance directives enable you to express your wishes about your treatment – according to your values, outlook on life, and religion. These guidelines ensure that your wishes will be fulfilled in the future and provide psychological peace in the present.

“My son, keep your father’s commandment” (Mishlei 6:20) – Family Unity – expressing one’s wishes early will prevent disagreement between family members regarding your treatment and prevent them from feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or hopeless if they reach a difficult and burdensome deliberation about how best to treat you. This deliberation oftentimes comes with deep pangs of consciousness. Clarifying your wishes regarding medical care removes the family’s need to make a decision and leaves your family whole and united after your passing.

“The sage, his eyes are in his head” (Kohelet 2:14) – Preparing for the Future – when looking to the future, advance directives will guide the medical team to avoid unwanted and suffering inducing treatments and prevent delay in providing care that requires a directive.

“Even as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me” (Tehillim 23:4) – Strengthening of Personal Resolve – It is tremendously advantageous just to bring up the topic for discussion and have a serious conversation, between partners and amongst family. In addition, providing advance directives with care and in a stepwise fashion is a tool that promotes your autonomy, managing your illness and your treatment.

Yes! The verse that determines this is “the heart knows the soul’s bitterness” (Mishlei 14:10) and halacha recognizes your ability to know what treatment is best for you. The person is the deciding medical authority when determining his care since he has the deepest understanding of himself. You have the authority to determine if a certain medical treatment appeals to you, and only in extreme cases does halacha forbid or obligate a specific therapy. Therefore, it is proper and appropriate to provide advance directives. For expanded discourse, see our detailed essay on the Tzohar Ad 120 website.

No! The response to this question was already answered thousands of years ago. When Chizkiyahu the King of Judea fell ill, Yishayahu the prophet turned to him and said, “provide a will for your house because you are dying and will not live” (Melachim II 20:1), i.e. he recommended that he command his household regarding what to do with him after he dies. As stated, there is both practical and theoretical significance and importance to instructing your caretakers regarding your wishes and values, so they will perform the proper treatment. This is similar to getting health insurance, purchasing a grave while still alive, writing a will, etc., which the greatest halachic authorities have already written do not have aspects of “opening one’s mouth to Satan”. For expanded discourse, read our detailed response.

Gradually! Download and read the advance directive form from the Ministry of Health website and contact a certified nurse or family doctor who knows you. Dedicate time and attention to this and include your partner in the process. After filling out the guidelines, share the decisions you’ve made with your family.

While filling out the form, many halachic and ethical questions arise. For example: is there an obligation to perform CPR or mechanical ventilation? Is there an obligation to prolong life in all cases, even at the cost of suffering and placing a tremendous burden on the family? Should I share this with my family and how should I do it? What is the approach to palliative care and pain management? Should I instruct to leave me at home and avoid taking me to the hospital under any circumstances?

We have the tools to answer your questions and guide the signer through these deliberations. Do not remain alone! We will assist you with much attention and care. Reach out to us through the website or by calling our help center *9253.