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this third volume in the complete English series will bring additional sician was likely to disclose his secret to his bride. We can assume
pleasure to its readers. that the patient will ultimately be happy that the physician revealed
The translator of this work is our dear friend, the esteemed his secret, since the innermost desire of the soul is to do the mitzvos.
physician and Talmid Chacham, Dr. Fred Rosner, who is an active As the Rambam writes (in Hilchos K’fiyah al Haget, Hilchos Gerushin,
member of the medical board of our Institute. Dr. Rosner is famous Ch. 2:20): “A person who needs to be forced by beis din to divorce
the world- over not only as an excellent diagnostician in his field but his wife, and he does not want to do so… beis din has him flogged…
also for his expertise in the field of medical ethics. His connection since he wants to be a good Jew, deep down in his heart he wants to
to the Institute goes back over several decades, during which we have observe the mitzvah and not violate it, and to distance himself from
worked together to publish over ten books. This book joins his trea- transgressions.” Likewise, in our case, every Jew wants to conduct
sury of tens of books and hundreds of articles and essays. May he himself according to halacha and not to deceive another.
continue for many years to grace the world with treasures such as
these, and may he go mechayil lechayil. 3. Pikuach Nefesh in the Future
This book is dedicated to the elevation of the souls of Mr. Avraham Regarding the concern that patients will not seek out their physi-
and Leah Weisfeld z”l. The Weisfelds were cherished and faithful cians since they may reveal their secrets, the chances of this occurring
friends of the Institute over the course of tens of years, and constant- are remote. It is not certain that this will happen. Even if it is clear
ly hoped for and lauded its successes. They continually rejoiced in that some patients may refrain from going to their physician, it would
their merit of dedicating the Aron Kodesh of the central gallery of the still be prohibited for the physician to remain silent. Think of it this
Institute when they were the honored guests at the inauguration of way: If a physician knew that his patient has AIDS, and is about to
the Institute atop Mt Carmel. Naturally, their son Norman serves marry a woman who does not know about his illness, would it be
as active and dedicated chairman of the Foundation over the course right for him to remain silent? The same would apply in our case.
of many years. May their souls be elevated and may they be good The best thing to do in our case is to advise the groom to tell his
advocates for their family and the Maimonides Institute. bride about his illness. If he refuses and keeps it hidden from her, he
Special thanks to Mrs. E.M. Friedman for her expert editing and violates the Torah prohibition of “Do not wrong one another” (Vay-
Mrs. Rochelle Dunner for her final review of the manuscript . Thanks ikra 25:17), as explained in Kiryas Sefer (Ch. 18 of Hilchos Mechirah).
also are due to Mr. Ephrayim Babi for his efficient publication and Even if the physician is asked by one of the two sides about illnesses
Mrs. Sara Jaskiel for her unique cover design. Many thanks to all.
in the other side, the physician should say: I cannot answer before I
Rabbi Yehuda Assaf obtain consent from the patient to do so. In this way, he is revealing
President a bit but concealing most of it. He thereby fulfills his obligation of
Maimonides Research Institute “Do not stand idly by the blood of your fellowman” towards the party
Erev Rosh Hashana, 5779 seeking information. On the other hand, he does not reveal more
than necessary about the patient. This is similar to the advice of the
Be’er Mayim Chaim (Issur Rechilus, Principle 9, #2), who writes that
in unclear situations, one should say: I cannot advise you since I don’t
know the situation well enough.
The following is related in the Sefer Pe’er Hador (Vol. 4, p. 93): One
vi 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein Revealing a groom's illness 2 13
