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ɳ Response to Question One

The above was written by way of introduction to our response, to
show the severity of the sin of masturbation. We shall now discuss
the first question, regarding how to treat a retarded young man. I
therefore referred the question to medical and psychiatric specialists
in order to obtain their opinions about the methods of treatment.
Their responses follow:

In response to the Rav’s question about possible treatment
for a retarded man who behaves in a shameful manner, I
shall note the following points:

The professional literature indicates the benefit of an-
ti-androgenic hormonal therapy for man charged with
criminal conduct of this nature e.g. child molestation and
other deviant behaviors. These medications reduce their
level of testosterone and thereby, or through some other
pathway, curb their lust and reduce their desire altogether.
This group includes drugs such as Cyrpoterone (Androcur)
and Medroxyprogesterone (Depo Provere).

It is also known that irregular behavior displayed by re-
tarded individuals is sometimes attributable to their lack of
understanding and their naivety in this regard. In such cases
therapeutic educational intervention is important in proper-
ly clarifying the severity of the matter and what constitutes
deviation from normal, acceptable behavior.

The impulsive or aggressive behavior of retarded individ-
uals can also be curbed or prevented by treatment with Lith-
ium or by neuroleptic preparations, particularly Neuleptil.

Dr. A Lepkipar, Deputy Head of the
Department of Psychiatry, Tel Hasho-
mer Hospital

After consultation with Dr. Dani Schorr, Head Physician
of Alvin, a residential institution for treating abnormal in-

316 1 Medical-Halachic Responsa of Rav Zilberstein