I TORAH PORTION 1 Increase your interest in Israel 100 10IBJEOPON • $10,000 yields $25,974 in ten years Not By Truth Alone Does The World Endure RABBI IRWIN GRONER Special to The Jewish News D oes Judaism ever per- mit deviations from high moral stan- dards? Are moral values ab- solute? How do we resolve ethical dilemmas? Consider emet, truth, as an important illustration. Emet is one of the basic principles of Judaism, for the Torah is filled with admonitions to abhor falsehood and to tell the truth. In rabbinic tradi- tion, Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel said, "The world is established on three prin- ciples: truth, justice and peace!' The seal of God is truth, for when truth is ut- tered, one finds evidence of God's Presence. Our sages tell us that when a person will be Shabbat Vayechi: Genesis 47:28-50:26, I Kings 2:1-12 brought before the heavenly tribunal on the great Day of Judgement, the first question that will be asked of him will Nasata venatata be B'emunah? — Have you been honest and truthful in your dealings? But is truth an absolute value that can never be altered, or are there situa- tions or conditions when it can be compromised? What is one to do when ethical values come in conflict with one another? This issue is raised in a dramatic way in our sidrah. After the death of Jacob, the brothers of Joseph became ap- prehensive and fearful. "Perhaps Joseph will hate us and will repay us for all the evil that we have done unto him!" Joseph never pUnished us because he did not want to hurt our father, Jacob. Now that Jacob is no longer with us, he will deal cruelly with us. So they sent a message, "Your father commanded before he died, saying, 'So shall you say unto Joseph: Forgive the trangressions of your brothers.' " When Joseph heard their words, he wept and assured them that he would be close to them and support them. But did Jacob truly issue this statement? Irwin Groner is rabbi of Cong. Shaarey Zedek. The Talmud deduces from this that it is permissible for a person to deviate from the truth for the sake of peace. Rashi notes, "The brothers deviated from the truth because of peace, for Jacob did not command them thus, since he did not suspect Joseph?' Thus we are taught that truth is not an absolute value when it collides with the ideal of peace. However, a judicious decision is needed in which concern for others is weighed in the balance with concern for truth. The philosopher, Fichte, once said: "I would not break my word, even to save mankind!' Jewish teachers rejected this absolutist posi- tion. There are times when the claims of truth must give way to the requirements of shalom or the ideals of ches- ed and rachamim, kindness and compassion. While it is wrong to tell an outright lie, there are circumstances when telling the absolute truth is an act of cruelty or insensitivity. Consider this agonizing question: Shall a patient suf- fering from terminal illness be told the truth by his doc- tors? One can summon cogent arguments for telling a pa- tient the complete facts about the seriousness of his illness. This enables him to prepare himself for the end, to put his affairs in order and to make peace with his family and all who are dear to him. But on the other hand, who can predict with certitude the precise outcome of a disease? Telling the truth in the most stark and bleak medical terms may submit a patient to torment, may cause him further emotional harm and may extinguish that feeble spark of hope which is, for many people, essential to make life tolerable. In telling the truth in its most severe clinical form, we may rob the patient of what faith remains to provide a measure of joy in the weeks or days or hours that remain. Great is truth, but also great is peace; and equally great is the well- being of our fellow creatures. In my view, Judaism would say there is no absolute answer to the question "Shall a terminal patient know the truth?" Each case must be dealt with in its own context, and depends upon a careful assessment of the cir- cumstances. The real ques- Continued on Page 38 May be put after 5 years • Non-callable • Also available for IRA's, Keogh's, Retirement and other Trusts 9.5°10EINIE1 1,1 7 44COME ,Tasizion. 20% OFF ALWAYS "SPECIAL OCCASIONS REQUIRE SPECIAL DRESSES" 29325 Fourteen Mile Rd. • Farmington Hills • Broadway Plaza 10-7 P.M. 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