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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
find the arrows. If I say to the lad: “Behold the arrows are
behind you,” take them and come, for you are safe and there
is no danger…. And if I say to the lad like this, “behold the
arrows are further ahead of you,” then go, for Hashem has
sent you….’ And Yehonason called after the lad and said
“the arrows are further ahead of you... go bring them to the
city.” The lad came to the city and Dovid rose… and he fell
on his face on the ground and prostrated three times. And
they kissed each other and wept together; Dovid wept the
longer.”
This anecdote requires clarification. If Yehonason himself came
to Dovid and spoke to him face to face and told him all that had
transpired, why did he have to shoot arrows and to inform Dovid of
his situation using hints and signs?
It says in the commentary of the Mahar”i kra (ibid, verse 38): “And
my teacher, Rav Yaakov, said: The reason he hinted with the arrows
and did not say it with his mouth is because it says (Mishlei 11:13):
‘He who reveals secrets is a talebearer.’ And it is written in Sefer Kol
Tzofecha (p. 302) that it was difficult for Yehonason to reveal to Dovid
verbally that his father wanted his life. His heart contracted in pain
when he pictured how Dovid’s features would twist in pain upon
hearing that Shaul was plotting to kill him. In order not to cast this
information upon him suddenly, Yehonasan chose to relay it through
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
was easier for Yehonasan to speak to him face to face. Even then, their
emotions brought them to tears and to kiss one another.
We learn from here that even when one must give over bad news,
he should do so gently and gradually so as not to shock the person. In
fact, the Alshich writes that Hashem added a letter ‘hei’ to the name
Yehonason, since he did great things for Dovid.
Moreover, the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah #402:12) writes that
132 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein
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is an ethical value. As it is written, “Distance yourself from falsehood.”
In addition, there is a term which many people hang on to and that is
“the patient’s right to know,” even when it is not to his benefit.
There is also the need for the patient’s compliance regarding
tests and treatments. Telling the truth facilitates a doctor-patient
relationship based on mutual trust and thus prevents much conflict.
Moreover, there is a real chance that the truth will come out anyway,
in the course of treatment by different bodies and systems. For some
patients not knowing the truth can make them go out of their minds,
and knowing the facts can actually calm them down. Once they know,
they can plan their remaining days purposefully and decisively. They
can make a spiritual accounting, repent, and confess their sins. They
can do acts of loving kindness, study Torah, and bond with their fam-
ilies. They can give over vital messages, publish their writings, write a
will, and make financial decisions. 20818_efi-ab - 20818_park-C_efi-ab | 5 - B | 18-08-20 | 13:46:24 | SR:-- | Magenta
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Some reasons to refrain from telling the truth are: the prevention
of depression, despondency, and suicide. Giving the patient some sort
of hope. The patient’s request to be told the truth does not always re-
flect his real desire. Knowing his real situation may cause the patient
to fear that the medical staff will abandon him. Also, the physicians
do not have the time and desire to deal with the truth and its conse-
quences.
Therefore, if we decide that we must give over the medical infor-
mation, partly or completely, this should be done in the following
manner:
1. One should deal with each patient according to his emotion-
al-cognitive abilities, level of intelligence, familial status, age etc.
One should seek the advice of the patient’s family and friends,
as well as his Rav, psychologist, and the medical and supportive
staff in his community.
2. One should disclose the information in a humane and consider-
ate way, in a relaxed environment and in the presence of patient’s
loved-ones.
Providing results of X-Ray 2 129