Reflections on the Universality of Healthcare in Israel: A Jewish Response to Jonathan and Adina Halevy

Abstract

Even though Israel is a secular state and most of its citizens identify as secular, the social, cultural, and spiritual legacy of Judaism is very prominent. The Bible contains the essence of Jewish ethics and is the base that nurtures the Jewish spirit. The result of the union of the Mishnah and Guemara is the Talmud, which, along with the Torah, forms the basis for the development of the Halakhah. Judaism has a vibrant tradition in medical ethics. Some essential aspects of human life that are regulated by Jewish religion are life and death, sexuality, pain, and suffering due to illness. While Israel’s legal code is secular, it incorporates principles and perspective of Jewish law, especially in the areas of danger to life and the provision of healthcare to all. I endeavored in this response to show that religion, especially the Jewish faith, can be an essential element of cultural pluralism in contemporary Israel. There is no opposition between religion and healthcare provision. In contrast, religion serves as a guide, orientation, and inspiration for conduct in modern society and protection of human rights. The United Nation’s goals of working together to establish universal principles in ethics and human rights that guarantee respect for human life are laudable. The concepts of equality, justice, and respect for human rights possess incalculable value and many implications.