Torah Portion

Respect For The Dead
And True Lovingkindness

evident that Jewish law allows and
even encourages the donation of vital
organs; for saving a life overrides prac-
tically all other Jewish values. So long
as the donor can live without the
organ, or has recently died, what
could be the problem?
One problem, many Jews will intu-
it, relates to our concern for burying
f there's one thing that everyone
the dead. If Jewish law requires burial
knows about Jewish law, it's
of the body without delay, how can we
surely the requirement to bury
allow the harvesting of organs that
our dead. During the painful
may now live for many more years in
and shocking moments after we learn
a new body? While saving a life is one
of a death, we instinctively
matter, harvesting organs
sense our obligation to make
such as the cornea is not as
immediate arrangements for
easily justified on these
a proper Jewish burial. But
grounds (many authorities,
what is the source of this
nevertheless, permit the
obligation? What verse
donation even of non-vital
impels us to bury the dead?
organs).
The Torah narrates that
Jewish law prohibits benefit-
God buried Moses
ing from the dead, appar-
(Deuteronomy 34:6), and the
ently even if one of their
Talmud teaches that this
organs can be revived. My
example of kindness is wor-
RABBI DANIEL teacher Rabbi Joel Roth has
thy of emulation (Sotah 14a).
written an erudite study of
NEVINS
But the legal obligation to
this subject in a responsum
Special to the
bury the dead actually
now
pending before the
Jewish News
derives from a verse read this
Conservative movement's
week in Ki Tetze.
Committee on Jewish Law
The case is that of a criminal who
and Standards. Rabbi Roth concludes
has been found guilty of a capital
that absent the opportunity to save a
offense and has been executed. The
life with a harvested organ, or other
Torah insists that his body be treated
leniencies of the law, it is required to
respectfully: "You must not leave his
bury the entire body of the deceased
corpse out overnight; rather you surely
without delay.
must bury him on the same day
Of course this only reinforces the
(Deuteronomy 21:23)."
importance of donating organs as
Although this case is highly irreg-
well as regenerative body parts such
ular, the rabbis derived from it a
as blood and bone marrow in order
general prohibition of delaying bur-
to protect the lives of others. I
ial, and a positive obligation to bury
encourage all members of our com-
the dead (Sanhedrin 46 a-b; Sifi-e
munity to donate blood and to com-
Devarim #221).
municate to their families their des'ire
Wherever possible, burial should
to become organ donors in order to
happen within a day of death.
save the lives of rhose who are in
However, as the Talmud notes, minor
need. If you want an opportunity for
delays to enhance the dignity of the
chesed shel emet — true love
you
dead by preparing him a proper funer-
need look no farther. ❑
al are allowed.
The matter is actually substantially
more complicated, with medieval and
even modern commentators continu-
ing to debate the precise nature of the
obligation to bury the dead. Not at all
It may be painful to imagine
controversial is the universal practice
becoming
an organ donor
in Jewish tradition to provide a digni-
what
are
your
personal feelings
fied and prompt burial for the dead.
on
the
subject?
Have you shared
Indeed, This is viewed as one of the
your views with family members?
truest acts of chesed, or kindness.
If you needed an organ dona-
This whole discussion might be
tion,
would you expect one from
academic were it not for the real and
a
fellow
Jew? A relative?
urgent issue of organ donation. It is

Shabbat Ki Tetze:
Deuteronomy
21:10-25:19;
Isaiah 54:1-10.

I

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® Congregation B inat David (#)

Jain, tie warm
atrnaspfiere
at Cangregatien, R'nai Dtwid
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Way, Day&

This Year's Special
HIGH HOLIDAY TICKETS — $100 space limited!!!
Please call the synagogue office 248-855-5007
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Pre-Selichot viewing of The concert
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ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2000 at 9:15 pm

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SELICHOT SERVICES

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Yad Ezra Rosh Hashana Greeting Cards for Sale

Rosh Hashana Greeting Cards designed by four winning
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The cards are available for purchase in
assorted packages of 8 cards for $25.00.

Please call Yad Ezra 248-548-3663
for ordering information.

Orders must be received by
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L'Shana Tovah

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CONGREGATION SHAARIT HAPLAYTAH
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RABBI CHARLES

NORUP MIDDLE SCHOOL

14450 Manhattan Street • Oak Park, Michigan
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Daniel Nevins is rabbi of Adat Shalom

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AsktUAftX\-;mat *. `:

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FOR TICKET INFORMATION PLEASE CALL:

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9/8
2000

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