Health and Medicine in the Jewish Tradition (review)

174 BOOK REVIEWS David M. Feldman, Health and Medicine in the Jewish Tradition. New York: Crossroad, 1986. 116 pp. $15.95. Judaism is a way of life extending to every aspect of a Jew's existence. In this system, Halakhah (a codification of very complex legal material known as the Talmud) is binding. For the Jew, law and ethics cannot be separated. Ethical conduct is determined by normative Halakhah. If talmudic law forbids certain behavior , Judaism accepts that ruling as ethical and its violation as unethical. Any discussion of Jewish ethics, therefore, is a discussion of legalities. Differences of opinion exist as to Judaism's point of view on any given subject. These differences reflect different interpretations of talmudic law. They can be considered legitimate as Jewish positions as long as they are based on the Talmud and Halakhah. Health and Medicine in the Jewish Tradition by David Feldman is a short book that attempts to encapsulate the vast talmudic discussions on a dozen health-related issues. In this, Feldman has done a fine job. Indeed, the book's strength lies in his ability to reduce complex talmudic discussions to a chapter, a paragraph, or even a sentence or two. Readers need not be initiated into talmudic learning to appreciate this book. For those not familiar with Hebrew terms, which are used liberally throughout the book, a glossary is included. AU readers will benefit from the references to scholarly works. The subjects range from general topics, such as "Judaism and Health" and "Jews and Medicine," to more specific areas, including "This Matter of Abortion" and "Moment of Death, Transplantation, and Autopsy ." A very important theme runs through Feldman's book—that Judaism is concerned with both spiritual and physical health. "To maintain the body as well as the soul in good health is a religious imperative" (p. 15), he correctly asserts. This fact manifests itself in various ways, including the biblical concern for hygiene. Although the claim that "a large proportion of the 613 biblical commandments can be said to be hygienic in intent" (p. 35) is arguable, there is no doubt that the Bible and Talmud place a heavy emphasis on health and hygiene. Throughout, the book underscores the fact that the Torah has "a this-worldly orientation" (p. 24), and an entire chapter discusses the principle of setting aside laws of the Torah for the sake of health and, certainly, life. This principle is not considered an abrogation of Torah law but the fulfillment of the commandment to "live by them" (Leviticus 18:5). Although Jewish law is always based on the Talmud, it is interpreted Book Reviews 175 in light of new understandings and discoveries. Decisions in Jewish law reflect our ever expanding knowledge of mental and physical health. "Talmudic prescriptions are merely suggestions based on contemporary medical knowledge" (p. 37). Talmudic precedents are also used to justify contemporary practices. For example, premarital blood testing is endorsed because it conforms to the talmudic legislation regarding choice of a marriage partner (p. 76). Any book dealing with medical issues will confront topics about which there is much debate. Feldman, on several occasions, unabashedly gives the Jewish perspective: "the prohibition remains firm against homosexual indulgence as a freely chosen act or lifestyle" (p. 51); "abortion is not murder" (p. 80); nevertheless, it "remains a last resort" (p. 89) and is a decision taken in "solemn hesitation" (p. 90), given the appropriate circumstances. To appreciate the Jewish point of view, Feldman sometimes contrasts the Halakhah with other perspectives, especially that of Christianity. This is done very effectively, particularly with regard to birth control, where the reader is invited to reflect on a rabbi's considerations in deciding a religious question. The book's weakest moments concern issues, especially philosophical , that are not directly related to health. For instance, what are the reasons for Jewish dietary laws? Are they health related? The few paragraphs given the subject (p. 36) confuse the reader. Should Jews follow the biblical law because it is law, or because the law finds a justification in the findings of contemporary medicine? This sort of issue is noted but not adequately developed. Likewise, the two pages devoted to...