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Beliefs about the treatment of illness
Jewish representatives have indicated that as much as possible Jewish Law should be respected in healthcare practice by both practitioners and Jewish followers. Where necessary, aspects of law can be balanced with the religious requirement to maintain good health. So, for example, there are leniencies in Sabbath observance, dietary laws, etc., in cases of serious illness and where there are no alternatives. Where possible a rabbi should be consulted.
Essential Practice Point 1
Aspects of the Jewish Law may create conflicts with modern medical treatment.Healthcare settings should seek the advice of a rabbi when dealing with issues such as life-threatening prognosis, life support, organ donation, resuscitation, etc. Matters should then be discussed with the patient and family as early as possible.
(Return to Summary of Essential Practice Points)
Religious contacts
Religious leaders are available to visit any person indicating that they are Jewish on request from the person or healthcare setting. Lay members of the Jewish community are also available to visit any patients who might so desire. They can be contacted through the Office of the Chief Rabbi or, if unavailable, the Communal Rabbi. Contact details for this purpose are provided at the end of the section.
Religious practices
- Jews hold the Sabbath as a time of holiness. Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday and lasts until nightfall on Saturday. The times vary depending on the time of year. In midsummer Sabbath will start not later than 8pm on Friday and run until approximately 11pm on Saturday. In midwinter Sabbath will start by 3.30pm on Friday and run until approximately 5pm on Saturday. Traditionally no work of any nature was undertaken for the entire period of the Sabbath, which includes driving. Religious Jews will not use electrical appliances on the Sabbath such as telephones, email, turning lights on and off, etc.
- Sabbath observant visitors that arrive on Friday may need to be accommodated if they do not manage to leave before the sun sets; they will not be able to travel once the Sabbath begins. At a minimum they may need to be provided with a pillow and blanket so that they can sleep in a chair.
- The same rules and restrictions apply on the festivals, most of which are clustered around September/October and Passover which is usually in March/April.
- Jewish women may request to light two candles / tea-lights at the onset of the Sabbath. This is an important ritual and should be respected where safe to do so.
- Jewish males over thirteen may wish to do morning prayers wearing a prayer shawl (tallit) and phylacteries (tefillin). They might need privacy for half an hour while doing so.
Ablutions and washing
Essential Practice Point 2
Jews may wish to wash before prayer and before food. The bed-bound will need running water for this purpose; if this is difficult to provide, a jug of water and a bowl will suffice.
(Return to Summary of Essential Practice Points)
Food and the content of medicine
Essential Practice Point 3
- Jewish dietary laws, kosher rules, need to be respected in food provision to patients and in the application of medicines. Settings can buy in kosher food; a recommended supply source is provided at the end of the section. Many non-observant Jews will still be quite strict about kosher food. A lack of appropriate kosher food might mean they can only eat uncooked fruit and vegetables.
(Return to Summary of Essential Practice Points)
- Medicines given to a Jewish patient should not contain any animal products. Where no alternative is available the person should be informed so that they can make an informed decision, possibly after discussion with a rabbi.
- If the illness is of a life-threatening nature and there is no alternative available then the medicine may be used.
Blood Transfusion and Organ Transplantation
There is no religious objection to receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplantation. The donation of certain organs can be very problematic and a Rabbi should be consulted.
