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more time to his treatment and indirectly causes harm to In a similar vein Rashi explains that (23:2) Sara’s death is jux-
the other patients. The other patients are also likely to taposed with the binding of Yitzchak because the news of the
suffer directly from the presence of an incontinent patient binding was so shocking to her that it caused her soul to depart.
and the unpleasant effects of sharing a room with someone Another example is when Yaakov was told that (Bereishis 45:26)
who is unable to care for his excretory functions. It may “Yosef is still alive and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt,”
even come to point that his roommates will have to leave. the verse continues, “and Yaakov’s heart fainted, because he did
Certainly, they will not be able to host visitors in the room. not believe them.” The Ramban explains that his heart stopped
Moreover, a nursing patient is likely to require treatments beating and he was like a dead man, something that is known to
at night, disturbing the sleep of his roommates. occur when one is suddenly overjoyed.
Leaving the nursing care patient where he is also causes
a monetary outlay because the cost of his treatments is Likewise, Hashem called out to Adam and said “Where are
higher than that of the other elderly patients. The mone- you?” (Bereishis 3:9), and Rashi writes: He knew where he was
tary harm to the institution will ultimately result in other but [He asked in order] to start a conversation with him, so he
patients not receiving what they need. should not be confused if he is punished suddenly.
There are a number of solutions to the issue cited by 2. The Me’iri writes (Pesachim, ibid) that one should try to refrain
Dr. Brayer, above: from being put in the position of relaying sad news, for this is
A) The medical staff and family should prepare the patient not a good omen for a person.
emotionally for his transfer to another institution. 3. The Ben Yehoyada writes (Pesachim, ibid, s.v. sham mai): If one
B) The patient should be around familiar people, such opens one’s mouth with a good thing it will help transform bad
as friends and family, during his first days in the new news to good, because a covenant was made with the lips both
institution. In this way, he will not feel helpless and for good or the opposite. The bad can really become good. If the
abandoned. earth produces a little bit, Hashem can send His blessing, and
C) Possibly leaving him in a private room with a private the little will suffice for many, who will eat and there will be left
caretaker in the geriatric ward, at the expense of the over. As an example of this he cites the story of a rich man who
family. wanted his two sons to do business and become rich. Therefore,
These solutions have to be appropriate for the patient, he promised that at the end of every week, if they inform him
and in line with the opportunities available to the institu- that they made a profit, he would give them a gift. One week,
tion and the patient’s family. In any case, the patient should they both lost money. One son came and told his father “I lost
be involved. The dilemma should be presented to him and money” so his father gave him nothing. The other son thought:
his opinion should be sought. There is great therapeutic Why should I tell him I lost money and open the mouth of
benefit to his involvement in the process. Satan? Instead, he told his father, “I made a profit last week. ”As
In summary: The problem is multi-faceted and, in my a result, his father, who heard the words “I made a profit,” did
opinion, there is no single solution. Each case has to be not pay attention to the conclusion of his words, “last week,” and
weighed separately. The physician has to choose the option he gave him a gift. In other words, he only gained from the fact
that is least damaging, according to the resources available that he opened his mouth to make a positive statement. From

144 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein Parents Gave Birth to a Blind Child 2 117

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