Suicide in the Hebrew Bible and the Rabbinic Tradition (IN: Clergy Response to Suicidal Persons and Their Family Members, edited by D C Clark)

This chapter describes attitudes toward suicide as expressed in the Hebrew Bible & developed by rabbis. It relies on classical & secondary sources. It examines attitudes toward those who attempt/complete suicide & discusses separation of the need of mourners from the question of culpability of suicide victims. The thrust of Jewish teachings in the field of suicide is, as in all things, to “choose life.” Suicidal behavior is treated as a life-threatening illness.