Don’t pull the plug on brain death just yet

Date

2004

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Rabbinical Council of America (RCA)

Abstract

In conclusion, after reading Dr. Kunin’s article, one might erroneously conclude that he has removed the medical underpinnings and halakhic foundations of the earlier decisions of Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel accepting brain death as halakhic death. Would the authors of the original decisions maintain their opinion if presented with the current medical information? I believe the answer to be yes. In short, the halakhic position that accepts brain death is still very much alive. While there is no consensus in the halakhic world about whether brain death constitutes halakhic death, there still remains healthy debate in the spirit of elu ve-elu divrei Elokim hayyim. (from Conclusion)

Description

Scholarly article / Open access

Keywords

Kunin, Joshua, Brain death, Halacha, Medical ethics

Citation

Reichman, E. (2004). Don’t pull the plug on brain death just yet. Tradition, 38(4), 63–69.