Chapter
Jewish Views on Euthanasia (IN: Last Rights? Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Debated, edited by M M Uhlmann)
Sherwin B L~~~~~~
Jewish views on euthanasia are presented. The author shows the origin of these beliefs in a Talmudic text that discusses martyrdom & how they are reiterated in subsequent literature. The author defines & explores the differences between active & passive euthanasia, describing the Jewish stance on each. The notion of extending life versus prolonging death is emphasized.