Page 58 - issue
P. 58
Living Life
if the rav says that a particular question has an unequivocal an-
swer, that ruling is authoritative.
Part Three of a Directive: Expressing your Wishes
Many halachic medical directives also include a section in which
a person indicates what approach he or she would like to take
Even once a medical directive has been
completed, it is worth reviewing it every
so often. Our priorities and
wishes may change over time,
sometimes in ways we cannot anticipate.
with regard to various treatments and interventions. It is im-
portant to note that this section is usually derived from a stan-
dard medical directive. As a result, it often contains options that
most poskim would never consider to be halachically accept-
able: for example, “I never want to be given artificial hydration.”
A halachic medical directive gives the rabbi the final authority.
If he determines that a written instruction is not halachical-
ly allowed, his decision will take precedence. It is nevertheless
helpful and important to fill out this section as well. Not only
does it give direction in situations where a choice is available,
knowing the person’s wishes can help even the rabbi make a
halachic decision in some situations.
Different versions of medical directives will provide different
options. Generally, they ask a person how he or she would like to
be treated in particular circumstances: for example, if someone
is terminally ill with no medical hope for recovery or if some-
one can communicate but only minimally. A person can then
choose whether he or she wants to receive no treatment, all
treatment, or something in between (for example, nutrition and
hydration but nothing else). Some documents also leave a blank
section in which other wishes can be indicated. Some options
to consider are: Do I prefer to be at home, if at all possible? Do I
prefer not to be at home? Do I prefer hospice care when feasible?
Because these situations are unpredictable and rarely fit into
one category, even the most carefully written medical directive
is an imperfect document. A person may indicate a strong pref-
erence that turns out to be practically or halachically impossible
50 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
if the rav says that a particular question has an unequivocal an-
swer, that ruling is authoritative.
Part Three of a Directive: Expressing your Wishes
Many halachic medical directives also include a section in which
a person indicates what approach he or she would like to take
Even once a medical directive has been
completed, it is worth reviewing it every
so often. Our priorities and
wishes may change over time,
sometimes in ways we cannot anticipate.
with regard to various treatments and interventions. It is im-
portant to note that this section is usually derived from a stan-
dard medical directive. As a result, it often contains options that
most poskim would never consider to be halachically accept-
able: for example, “I never want to be given artificial hydration.”
A halachic medical directive gives the rabbi the final authority.
If he determines that a written instruction is not halachical-
ly allowed, his decision will take precedence. It is nevertheless
helpful and important to fill out this section as well. Not only
does it give direction in situations where a choice is available,
knowing the person’s wishes can help even the rabbi make a
halachic decision in some situations.
Different versions of medical directives will provide different
options. Generally, they ask a person how he or she would like to
be treated in particular circumstances: for example, if someone
is terminally ill with no medical hope for recovery or if some-
one can communicate but only minimally. A person can then
choose whether he or she wants to receive no treatment, all
treatment, or something in between (for example, nutrition and
hydration but nothing else). Some documents also leave a blank
section in which other wishes can be indicated. Some options
to consider are: Do I prefer to be at home, if at all possible? Do I
prefer not to be at home? Do I prefer hospice care when feasible?
Because these situations are unpredictable and rarely fit into
one category, even the most carefully written medical directive
is an imperfect document. A person may indicate a strong pref-
erence that turns out to be practically or halachically impossible
50 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
