Psak Halacha Regarding attempts to pass “Death with Dignity”

 Psak Halacha Regarding attempts to pass “Death with Dignity” legislation: The chiyuv (Torah injunction) of “Lo sa'amod al dam re’echa”, obligates everyone to do what he or she can, to help prevent assisted suicide and/or euthanasia. Allowing the legalization of “assisted suicide”, even if this particular law in practice would only result in assisting a suicide and not euthanasia, is to allow shefichas-domim (bloodshed). Furthermore even rendering such actions not being subject to prosecution, is allowing shefichas-domim (bloodshed), al achas kama vekama (how much more so), in cases of assisted suicide leading to euthanasia. Voting on the basis of this issue. This obligation would include: 1) Thus, when voting for any public official, this issue must be considered as top priority, certainly overriding financial considerations, government programs, etc. By voting for people who support these laws, we become accountable for their actions. This ruling would still apply even if these laws were to be passed, we would still be forbidden to vote for legislators who voted for these laws. This is the most important way to fulfill our obligation. 2) Urging one’s legislators to vote against these bills, if and when they arise[1] and to urge the governor to veto such bill, were it to pass the legislature. 3) Helping in efforts to repeal such laws, in areas[2] where such legislation was already passed. Even a few votes can make a major difference, both by legislators and the public—sometimes the vote of a single legislator can decide the fate of these laws—as is evidenced by the recent vote in the New Jersey State Assembly (in November 2014), where an assisted suicide bill was passed by just one vote. We have seen in several recent races in Jewish neighborhoods, that even a handful of votes can make the difference in the outcome of the election[3] . Furthermore, some legislators keep track of the calls that are made to their offices on particular controversial issues, and vote according to their results. May the Creator of all life grace us with the merit to save innocent lives, fulfilling our role as an or legoyim (light unto the nations). In that merit, may we help usher in the Final Redemption by Moshiach Tzidkeinu. Rabbonim are listed alphabetically. Mordechai Chaim Auerbach Boruch Hirschfeld Avrohom Reich Monsey Ahavas Yisroel, Cleveland Hatzolas Yisroel < Eliyahu Ben-Haim Zalman Leib Hollander Dovid Ribiat RIETS/Kehillah Yotzei Mashad Khal Nachlas Moshe, Spring Valley, NY mechaber "The 39 Melochos" < Haim Benoliel Shmuel Kamenetsky Yosef Yitzchok Rosenfeld Bnai Yosef/Mikdash Melech Talmudical Academy of Philadelphia Monsey Dometz Gad Bouskila Yosef Meir Kantor Chaim Schabes Netivot Israel Cong. Agudath Israel of Monsey Knesses Yisroel Yitzchok M. Braun Elya Nota Katz Dovid Schustal Shaaray Zion Stamford Yeshiva Bais Medrash Govoha, Lakewood Shlomo Breslauer Eliezer Langer Yaakov Shulman Bais Tefiloh Cong. Israel, Poughkeepsie, NY Talmud Torah of Flatbush Eliyahu Brog Yeshaye Gedalye Kaufman Moshe Silberberg Bais Yisroel Hisachdus Moetz, Kruleh Dometz Shuvu/mechaber “Zichron Tzvi Meir” Simcha Bunim Cohen Amram Klein Moshe Soloveitchik Khal Ateres Yeshaya Ungvar Chicago Yitzchok Cohen Shloime Ben Zion Kokis Yitzchok Sorotzkin Yeshiva University RIETS Zichron Mordechai Mesivta of Lakewood Moshe Donnebaum Grainom Lazewnik Tzvi Steinberg Hechel Hatorah/Adas Yisroel/Melbourne Khal Adar Gbir Kahal Zera Avraham, Denver Michoel Elias Philip Lefkowitz Shlomo Stern Kehilas Yisroel, Spring Valley Jackson, NJ; mult. congregations in US, UK & Canada Debreciner Rov Eytan Feiner Moshe Tuvia Lieff Elazar Mayer Teitz Kneseth Israel, (The White Shul) Far Rockaway Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin Chief Rabbi of Elizabeth, NJ Menachem Fisher Shmuel Miller Elya Ber Wachtfogel Vien Monsey Yeshiva Bais Yisroel Yeshiva of South Fallsburg Noson Yermia Goldstein Avrohom Yaakov Nelkenbaum Boruch Hersh Waldman mechaber of “Migdalos Noson” Mirrer Yeshiva Siach Yitzchok, Suffern Avrohom Gordimer Yechiel Perr Moshe Weissman Coalition for Jewish Values Yeshiva of Far Rockaway Ohel Moshe Shmuel Gorelick Steven Pruzansky Benjamin Yudin Mesivta Ohel Torah Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, NJ Moshe Green Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff Yeruchum Zeilberger Yeshivah D'Monsey YU Gruss Kollel Stamford Yeshiva Yisroel Dovid Harfenes Gavriel Zinner Yisroel Vehazmanim Nitei Gavriel Institutions are listed for identification purposes only. [1] as is currently in New Jersey [2] such as Washington state and Oregon [3] most noticeably (demonstrated) in the Senate election between David Storobin and Lew Fidler, where Storobin won by less than 20 votes. Sponsored by Jews for Torah Values jewsfortorahvalues@gmail.com