Page 59 - issue
P. 59
Living Life 51
for any number of reasons. Nevertheless, for all the reasons list-
ed above, it remains a critically important document that can
make the decision-making process in the moment immeasur-
ably smoother and more effective.
Where Do I Find a Halachic Medical Directive?
Several versions of this document are easily available. Agudath
Israel of Maryland has a version that is specifically tailored for
use in Maryland. It includes a card that can be carried in a wallet
or purse and can be used as reference in case of emergency. The
form can be accessed at http://agudathisrael-md.org/md-hala-
chic-medical-directive/. The Rabbinical Council of America has
a very similar form that is available at http://www.rabbis.org/
pdfs/hcp.pdf.
These forms, however, include sections for naming a health
care agent and a rabbi but do not include a section for detail-
ing specific instructions. Rabbi Moshe Hauer has developed a
form, based on the standard Maryland medical directive, which
includes thorough halachic guidelines and leaves room for indi-
cating individual choices. It can be accessed from www.bjsz.org.
Some Final Thoughts
Once a medical directive is written, keep it in a secure place
where it can be easily accessed in an emergency. If possible, you
should give copies to your health care agent (some recommend
giving your agent the original), your doctor, lawyer, and/or rab-
bi. If you already have a medical record at a local hospital, it is
worthwhile to see if the directive can be made a part of the re-
cord, so that it is on file. At the very least, make sure that those
who will need your directive know how to find it.
Finally, even once a medical directive has been completed,
it is worth reviewing it every so often. Our priorities and wish-
es may change over time, sometimes in ways we cannot an-
ticipate. We might, for example, have new ideas about what is
meaningful to us or about pursuing certain treatments. A med-
ical directive should reflect those changes. In addition, it should
be reviewed to be sure that the people we have chosen to speak
for us are still the appropriate choices.
While this may seem like a lot of work, it does not in fact
take a great deal of time or effort to complete a halachic medical
directive. Hopefully, this article can serve as a guide to make
the process easier and the result more effective. In any case,
the benefits that this document provides, both in making sure
that care is provided in accordance with a person’s wishes and
in removing some of the burden of these decisions from loved
ones, is well worth the effort. Hopefully, this will allow everyone
involved to provide the best care possible and to do so with a
sense of calm and peace of mind.u
Rabbi Daniel Rose is the rabbi for Jewish Hospice Services for
Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care. He is also the Assistant
Rabbi at Congregation Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion.
u 410 358 8509 u
for any number of reasons. Nevertheless, for all the reasons list-
ed above, it remains a critically important document that can
make the decision-making process in the moment immeasur-
ably smoother and more effective.
Where Do I Find a Halachic Medical Directive?
Several versions of this document are easily available. Agudath
Israel of Maryland has a version that is specifically tailored for
use in Maryland. It includes a card that can be carried in a wallet
or purse and can be used as reference in case of emergency. The
form can be accessed at http://agudathisrael-md.org/md-hala-
chic-medical-directive/. The Rabbinical Council of America has
a very similar form that is available at http://www.rabbis.org/
pdfs/hcp.pdf.
These forms, however, include sections for naming a health
care agent and a rabbi but do not include a section for detail-
ing specific instructions. Rabbi Moshe Hauer has developed a
form, based on the standard Maryland medical directive, which
includes thorough halachic guidelines and leaves room for indi-
cating individual choices. It can be accessed from www.bjsz.org.
Some Final Thoughts
Once a medical directive is written, keep it in a secure place
where it can be easily accessed in an emergency. If possible, you
should give copies to your health care agent (some recommend
giving your agent the original), your doctor, lawyer, and/or rab-
bi. If you already have a medical record at a local hospital, it is
worthwhile to see if the directive can be made a part of the re-
cord, so that it is on file. At the very least, make sure that those
who will need your directive know how to find it.
Finally, even once a medical directive has been completed,
it is worth reviewing it every so often. Our priorities and wish-
es may change over time, sometimes in ways we cannot an-
ticipate. We might, for example, have new ideas about what is
meaningful to us or about pursuing certain treatments. A med-
ical directive should reflect those changes. In addition, it should
be reviewed to be sure that the people we have chosen to speak
for us are still the appropriate choices.
While this may seem like a lot of work, it does not in fact
take a great deal of time or effort to complete a halachic medical
directive. Hopefully, this article can serve as a guide to make
the process easier and the result more effective. In any case,
the benefits that this document provides, both in making sure
that care is provided in accordance with a person’s wishes and
in removing some of the burden of these decisions from loved
ones, is well worth the effort. Hopefully, this will allow everyone
involved to provide the best care possible and to do so with a
sense of calm and peace of mind.u
Rabbi Daniel Rose is the rabbi for Jewish Hospice Services for
Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care. He is also the Assistant
Rabbi at Congregation Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion.
u 410 358 8509 u
