Jewish Law Regarding the Treatment of Terminally Ill Patients

The issue of death is a very sensitive subject under Jewish law. In my previous discussion on Jewish law regarding euthanasia, I commented that euthanasia is prohibited and regarded as asin under Jewish law. However, there are a very few instances where the taking of one's own life is permissible.

If a patient is terminally ill, there is a very fine line in allowing a person to die. Under Jewish law, medicine, information or any kind of helpful treatment for a terminally ill patient cannot be with held from that person or it could be considered as murder under Jewish law. Any kind of device such as an artificial respirator cannot be removed if it is keeping that person alive. However, if there is something impeding a person's death, then it can be removed to allow that person to pass on to the after life and allow that person's soul to move onto God and heaven. What exactly am I talking about? Let me give you an example. If a person is terminally ill and is about to die but cannot because of a disturbing noise, then that noise can be removed to allow that person to die. In one instance, if a person is about to die and a person is mowing their lawn outside and that sound from the lawn mower is keeping that person awake and preventing them from dying, that law mower can be removed to ease the passing of the person.

However, as I have stated this is a very fine line that cannot be crossed. Anything positive that can be done to help the person must be done and give to that person to keep them alive. Every second and moment of life for every person is precious and cannot be stripped away. Only God has the power to take and give life.

The concept of pikuach nefesh is that of the responsibility on a person to do anything in their power of strength or financial situation to save a person's life. Even the Sabbath, which is held as a holy commandment from the Torah can be violated to save a person's life. The quality of a person's life is irrelevant. If someone can save that person's life then they must do it.