Comments on: Morethodoxy and Health Care – Rabbi Barry Gelman http://morethodoxy.org/2009/08/25/morethodoxy-and-health-care-rabbi-barry-gelman/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:55:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: LRP http://morethodoxy.org/2009/08/25/morethodoxy-and-health-care-rabbi-barry-gelman/#comment-484 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:00:17 +0000 http://morethodoxy.org/?p=251#comment-484 I very much agree that we should be engaged in social causes and efforts to make the world a better place. However, I am very cautious when we start trying to formulate public policy based on Halakha. Is it so clear in Jewish tradition that we should force some to pay for the health care of others? What about the great respect that our tradition has for private property? In supporting the desire for everyone to have health care, are we sure that the government is the best means of providing it? Does Jewish tradition offer an opinion on that? I tend to think that our obligation to help the poor should be expressed through voluntary tzedakah, not government policy.

I am far from a learned scholar. I would love to hear responses to these questions. I very much believe in social justice, and that Judaism wants us to pursue justice; but I am much less certain that our Jewish understanding translates so easily into government policy.

]]> By: RalphG http://morethodoxy.org/2009/08/25/morethodoxy-and-health-care-rabbi-barry-gelman/#comment-477 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:22:47 +0000 http://morethodoxy.org/?p=251#comment-477 RBG:
100% in agreement. Darkei Shalom are frequently overshadowed by self-interest.
Why are the Reform and Conservative branches of Judaism more concerned with social issues than our chevra?

]]> By: ilanadavita http://morethodoxy.org/2009/08/25/morethodoxy-and-health-care-rabbi-barry-gelman/#comment-476 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:33:10 +0000 http://morethodoxy.org/?p=251#comment-476 I completely agree with you on this and wish more people in Orthodox circles would make statements in favor of Universal Health Care too.

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