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ty… and I will shoot three arrows to one side as though I The reasons for disclosing the truth include: The fact that the truth #
was shooting at a mark. I will then send the lad to go and is an ethical value. As it is written, “Distance yourself from falsehood.”
find the arrows. If I say to the lad: “Behold the arrows are In addition, there is a term which many people hang on to and that is
behind you,” take them and come, for you are safe and there “the patient’s right to know,” even when it is not to his benefit.
is no danger…. And if I say to the lad like this, “behold the There is also the need for the patient’s compliance regarding
arrows are further ahead of you,” then go, for Hashem has tests and treatments. Telling the truth facilitates a doctor-patient
sent you….’ And Yehonason called after the lad and said relationship based on mutual trust and thus prevents much conflict.
“the arrows are further ahead of you... go bring them to the Moreover, there is a real chance that the truth will come out anyway,
city.” The lad came to the city and Dovid rose… and he fell in the course of treatment by different bodies and systems. For some
on his face on the ground and prostrated three times. And patients not knowing the truth can make them go out of their minds,
they kissed each other and wept together; Dovid wept the and knowing the facts can actually calm them down. Once they know,
longer.” they can plan their remaining days purposefully and decisively. They
can make a spiritual accounting, repent, and confess their sins. They
This anecdote requires clarification. If Yehonason himself came can do acts of loving kindness, study Torah, and bond with their fam-
to Dovid and spoke to him face to face and told him all that had ilies. They can give over vital messages, publish their writings, write a
transpired, why did he have to shoot arrows and to inform Dovid of will, and make financial decisions. 20818_efi-ab - 20818_park-C_efi-ab | 5 - B | 18-08-20 | 13:46:24 | SR:-- | Magenta
his situation using hints and signs? #20818_efi-ab - 20818_park-C_efi-ab | 5 - B | 18-08-20 | 13:46:24 | SR:-- | Yellow 20818_efi-ab - 20818_park-C_efi-ab | 5 - B | 18-08-20 | 13:46:24 | SR:-- | Black 20818_efi-ab - 20818_park-C_efi-ab | 5 - B | 18-08-20 | 13:46:24 | SR:-- |
Some reasons to refrain from telling the truth are: the prevention
It says in the commentary of the Mahar”i kra (ibid, verse 38): “And of depression, despondency, and suicide. Giving the patient some sort
my teacher, Rav Yaakov, said: The reason he hinted with the arrows of hope. The patient’s request to be told the truth does not always re-
and did not say it with his mouth is because it says (Mishlei 11:13): flect his real desire. Knowing his real situation may cause the patient
‘He who reveals secrets is a talebearer.’ And it is written in Sefer Kol to fear that the medical staff will abandon him. Also, the physicians
Tzofecha (p. 302) that it was difficult for Yehonason to reveal to Dovid do not have the time and desire to deal with the truth and its conse-
verbally that his father wanted his life. His heart contracted in pain quences.
when he pictured how Dovid’s features would twist in pain upon Therefore, if we decide that we must give over the medical infor-
hearing that Shaul was plotting to kill him. In order not to cast this mation, partly or completely, this should be done in the following
information upon him suddenly, Yehonasan chose to relay it through manner:
code. As our Sages say, (Avos 4:18) “A person should not look at the
downfall of his friend.” After preparing Dovid for the news via code, it 1. One should deal with each patient according to his emotion-
was easier for Yehonasan to speak to him face to face. Even then, their al-cognitive abilities, level of intelligence, familial status, age etc.
emotions brought them to tears and to kiss one another. One should seek the advice of the patient’s family and friends,
We learn from here that even when one must give over bad news, as well as his Rav, psychologist, and the medical and supportive
he should do so gently and gradually so as not to shock the person. In staff in his community.
fact, the Alshich writes that Hashem added a letter ‘hei’ to the name 2. One should disclose the information in a humane and consider-
Yehonason, since he did great things for Dovid. ate way, in a relaxed environment and in the presence of patient’s
Moreover, the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah #402:12) writes that loved-ones.

132 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein Providing results of X-Ray 2 129