D’var Torah on Health Care

Alexis Rice — August 13, 2009 – 11:42 am | Health Care Comments (0) Add a comment

I want to share this D’var Torah on health care by Rabbi Andrew Vogel of Temple Sinai, Brookline, MA:

Parashat Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
Reflections on Jewish Values – Rabbi Andy Vogel

The health insurance debate raging now in America is without a doubt a Jewish concern.  It has been cast as a deeply politicized issue by industry professionals, lobbyists, and politicians on all sides, but as a Jew and a rabbi, I believe that providing health care for all is a religious obligation.  The Book of Exodus contains commandments that doctors must try to heal all their patients, and not depend on prayer for healing.  Maimonides, the great 12th century rabbi, declared that health care is one of ten mandatory services a community must provide for its citizens (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot De’ot 4:23).  And the commandment that supersedes all others is saving a human life.  

This week’s Torah portion illuminates for us another aspect of the American health care debate: that providing health insurance for all is also a move to fight poverty.  “If there is a needy person among you – one of your kinsman in any of your settlements in the land… – do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kinsman” (Deut. 15:7-8).  The Torah instructs us to look out for the well-being of every individual in our society, including the weakest and poorest.  With health care, this is a critical aspect; under the current system, about 46 million Americans are uninsured and cannot afford health insurance.  Yet, Jewish teachings remind us to provide care to all.  The Shulchan Aruch, the definitive 16th century code of Jewish law, requires Jewish doctors to cover the costs of caring for all whom they treat who cannot otherwise afford to pay.  As the debate about health insurance heats up, I encourage Temple Sinai members to let our voices be heard with our nation’s leaders.  As Jews, we must respond to our religious tradition’s call to provide insurance coverage for all who need it, so that everyone in our society, including the neediest, can live a long, healthy and happy life. 

 

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