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will not enter the disciple’s heart whereas the thousandth time will
yield beneficial results; see also Chayei Olam.
ɳ Summary and conclusions
1. Surgery to give a male a female likeness involves trans-
gressing six Torah prohibitions and such surgery may only
be undergone in situations of piku’ach nefesh, such as dan-
gerous illness or compulsion by non-Jews.
2. The threat of suicide is not sufficient reason for allowing a
physician to violate prohibitions.
3. Regarding a person who desires to injure himself in order
to destroy a Divine gift, namely the ability to procreate -- if
this person is healthy in all other respects and speaks in-
telligently and comprehendingly, and his desire arises from
the external influence of friends or of a corrupt society and
harmful ideas picked up from reading degenerate litera-
ture, he is considered mentally sound but suffering from
corrupt traits and is not considered a shoteh.
426 1 Medical-Halachic Responsa of Rav Zilberstein
