Archives: מאמרים

Halachot of Treating a Terminal Ill Patient and a Person Living with Dementia

Therefore, let every faithful man pray to You upon discovering [his sin] (Tehillim 32:6) […] – Rav Nachman Bar Yitzchak says: ‘upon discovering’, this is death. (Berachot 8a). The capabilities of modern medicine to prolong life and impact the process of death raises halachic and ethical questions: When is there an obligation to prolong life […]

Chapter 1 | introduction

מתחבקים

Coping with death and preparing for it requires a huge amount of caution, patience and sensitivity, which ultimately derive from our deep appreciation for the value of life. Halakha deals with the myriad aspects that inform this issue, and forms the compass that directs our lives. The fundamental value and sanctity of life stand at […]

Halachic Guidelines for Pesach and Sefirat HaOmer for a Person with Dementia, a Patient with Complex Disease, and their Caretaker Families

Introduction Pesach is a time of familial joy and includes unique commandments and prohibitions with very significant meaning and various practical ramifications, more so than any other holiday. Participating in holiday events is important for each person, including a person with dementia or a person sick with severe, complex disease. From a fundamental perspective, a […]

Painkillers and Alertness

1. Introduction A patient who is sick with severe and painful disease or a condition for which the treatment causes intense pain will generally be treated with painkillers. Oftentimes, these medications cause tremendous fatigue, to the point where they sleep almost constantly, and even in the little time they are awake – they only minimally […]

Progressive Dementia – How Do We Discuss It?

זוג הולך ביער

When the initial symptoms of dementia begin to develop in one’s parents, the proper thing to do is to face the issues and discuss them. Shying away from open conversation only worsens the situation.