Chayim Aruchim: Chayim Aruchim was privileged to have had an open door to Harav Dovid Feinstein ZT”L. We asked him serious Shailos related to Chayim Aruchim’s work dealing with end-of-life issues. We are thankful for his advice and chizuk, for trusting and having confidence in us and for giving us the time to meet with us and answer our questions.
Some of the psakim that Harav Dovid Feinstein ZT”L signed for us include the following:
- At a time when the condition of a sick person deteriorates to the point that the doctors indicate not to continue treatment, it is obligatory for the family to ask a Shaila to a Rav as soon as possible to receive Daas Torah in every step.
- It is imperative for the family to refuse and prevent the doctors from doing any test whose purpose is to clarify if there is still life in the brain stem. This includes tests called the Apnea test, nuclear scan, “doll’s eye” test or a test where they put cold water into a patient’s ear.
- Together with other Gedolei Poskim, Harav Dovid Feinstein ZT”L signed a letter addressed to hospital board members and executives urging them to respect our values.
- During the COVID19 pandemic , Chayim Aruchim consulted with Harav Dovid Feinstein ZT”L regarding the statement that was issued regarding respirator removals.
- Mount Sinai Hospital asked Chayim Aruchim to clarify, whether health care workers are permitted to work on Shabbos and Yomtov during the COVID19 Pandemic. Harav Dovid Feinstein ZT”L together with other Poskim were consulted. They said based upon the fact that it is Pikuach nefesh, health care workers are permitted to work on Shaabos and Yom Tov.
Ye’hi Zichro Boruch.
Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger – Rivie Schwebel – Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz
i am very interested in rav dovid’s zatzal pesakim on end of life issues. please publish some anecdotal stories . although some can say each case is different, thats not really accurate as there are some lines & basic parameters that form the outline and most cases fall into a handful of catagories.