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second volume in the complete English series will bring additional occurred and encourage them to have their son undergo microsurgery
pleasure to its readers. to correct the surgically induced severance of the spermatic cord. If
The translator of this work is our dear friend, the esteemed they decide to do the surgery, and the physician wants to be forgiven
physician and Talmid Chacham, Dr. Fred Rosner, who is an active by Heaven for his mistake, he should offer to pay for all the expens-
member of the medical board of our Institute. Dr. Rosner is famous es, either from his insurance company or out of pocket. This is not
the world- over not only as an excellent diagnostician in his field but required by the halachah, because it is not certain that the child was
also for his expertise in the field of medical ethics. His connection damaged, but he should do it anyway to come clean before Hashem.
to the Institute goes back over several decades, during which we have Yehuda said to his brothers (Bereishis 37:26): “What profit is it if
worked together to publish over ten books. This book joins his trea- we kill our brother and conceal his blood?” implying that concealing
sury of tens of books and hundreds of articles and essays. May he the spilled blood is a sin. Praiseworthy is the physician who acts in
continue for many years to grace the world with treasures such as accordance with halachah and the King of Kings who heals all sick
these, and may he go mechayil lechayil. will certainly come to his aid.
This book is dedicated to the parents and in-laws of Dr. Aaron I believe that if the government requires the physician to pay for
Feingold, Saul and Esther Feingold z”l, and James Janus and Bettie damages in a case like this one, then the physician has to confess and
Liebowitz z”l. In addition to his prominence as a renowned cardiolo- pay according to Torah law as well. Although we might have exempt-
gist, Dr. Feingold’s warm feelings towards Judaism in general and the ed him, as discussed above, since every physician has to be licensed by
Rambam in particular have made him an indispensable part of our a beis din or the government, as explained in Aruch Hashulchan (Yoreh
Institute; one who is responsible for many of its advancements and Deah #336:2), if the government requires him to do so, he should
expansion. pay. Upon receiving his medical license, the physician committed to
Special thanks to Mrs. E.M. Friedman for her expert editing and paying for damages according to the conditions that the license spells
Mrs. Yael Goldwasser for her final review of the manuscript . Thanks out. Moreover, it was on the basis of this license that he was paid for
also are due to Mr. Ephrayim Babbi for his efficient publication and the initial surgery.
Mrs. Sara Jaskiel for her unique cover design. Many thanks to all.
Rabbi Yehuda Assaf
President
Maimonides Research Institute
10 Sivan 5778, 51 Yahrzeit of my father zt”l Is there a prohibition involved in reconnecting a
st
severed spermatic cord?
Since in order to reconnect a severed spermatic cord one needs to
smooth out the two edges, there is concern here about a possible To-
rah prohibition, as explained in Shulchan Aruch (Even Haezer #5:11):
“It is prohibited to destroy the ducts which carry sperm…How? If a
surgeon cuts the ducts to the testicles he is flogged.”
But if the cords are deep inside the body, there is no Torah pro-
vi 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein Physician cut spermatic duct 2 21 # 20818
