Page 29 - HaMizrachi #29 Yom HaAtzmaut 2021 USA

ISRAEL AS A JEWISH STATE HOLIDAY READING

Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander Rabbi Yitzchak Feldman

Halacha in the Hospital

eturning to the Land of Israel and which allow indirect opening of electric prevent fires, G-d forbid. In wards in
establishing our own medical doors, and millions of shekels have been which it is not possible to light candles,
Rcenters has brought with it the invested in adjusting the hot water we do so using electric lights, relying on
blessings and the challenges of balanc- system for the public hospital in Ashdod. the psak of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l.
ing halacha and medicine on a national Every patient also has a “Shabbat lamp”
level. As Rav of the 10 Assuta medical fixed above his or her bed. Corona has brought many challenges,
centers in Israel and the Assuta Hospital Another system in place ensures that among them Shabbat meals and candle-
in Ashdod, these are challenges I face kohanim can enter the hospital. Our lighting in Corona wards, and even
daily. How do I create a religious atmo- hospital in Ashdod is all one building, Megillah reading and Simchat Torah.
sphere in a large-scale public hospital? such that when a patient is pronounced Every time we brought an object into the
How do I ensure both halacha and med- dead in one department, it means ward (tefillin, a Sefer Torah, a Megillah),
ical protocol can exist hand in hand? kohanim are not allowed to enter the we had to leave it there, for fear of
The main challenge of combining these entire area of the hospital. Because contamination. Besides there being a
shul in every Assuta hospital center,
two elements is in the area of kashrut. of this, a smart “kohen alarm” system during Corona the religious leaders
We need to organize kosher mehadrin was installed, which is operated by the
meals for the patients, and therefore we paramedics who move the deceased have had to come up with alternative
have a system of mashgichim who work to the morgues. Immediately upon solutions to allow tefillot to continue.
24/7 in all of the kitchens overseeing determining the moment of death, I often feel that religious staff and
kashrut, with very strict rules. Besides electronic monitors with the caption hospital Rabbis are also part of the
this, inpatients who are makpid on a “warning kohanim” are activated near medical team, to an extent. Halachic
higher level of kashrut, like glatt, can the main entrances of the hospital, questions occupy perhaps 20 percent
order a personal meal via the nurses. informing kohanim that they cannot of the requests I receive. We are
enter the hospital until the deceased is
Then there is the issue of keeping removed. Once the deceased has been blessed that in Israel today, halachic
Shabbat. There are clear rules the staff issues are mostly taken care of, even in
are required to abide by, such as using taken out of the hospital, the warning public hospitals, and we have ensured
“Shabbat pens” and “Shabbat keyboards” sign is replaced with “welcome.” a foundation that deals with almost
when admitting a patient to ER. Once Shabbat meals, Seder Night, Megillah every possible eventuality (even special
the patient has been admitted, staff no reading, and even lighting candles in doors which help avoid yichud issues).
longer need to use these devices and can a hospital require coordination and Most of the requests I receive are
break Shabbat for him or her because creativity. In Assuta, we set up special specifically regarding service – booking
the rule of pikuach nefesh now applies. candle-lighting areas adjacent to the appointments, advancing appointments,
We’ve organized gramma mechanisms, security guard’s station in order to coordination between doctors and
patients, and medical inquiries. True,
this is not the official role of the Rabbi,
but as Jews who know that in every place
we find ourselves, and in every position
we are, it is our responsibility to help
others, we try to do these tasks with
dedication and integrity.

Rabbi Yitzchak Feldman is Rabbi of
Assuta hospitals and medical centers.

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