By COLlive reporter
A Jewish woman who is against administrating vaccinations to children wrote an open letter to Rabbi Yosef Braun, member of the Crown Heights Beis Din and the Rov behind AskTheRav.com.
There have been 535 cases of measles confirmed as of May 23 since the beginning of the outbreak last October, the Health Department of New York City told COLlive.com.
The outbreak has been especially felt in the frum Jewish communities of Williamsburg and Boro Park where a sizable amount of people refuse to vaccinate their children against measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR). This is despite the ruling of rabbis to do so in the name of saving lives.
Here is the full exchange between the anti-vaxxer woman and Rabbi Braun:
Question:
My main reason in sending this email to you is because the gap between the Klal and the leadership is growing to a point that many people (including myself) feel disregarded, scoffed and misunderstood by Rabbanim. I do not have to explain the integral role that Rabbonim play in leading a frum life, and what devastating results this dynamic leads to.
With children not allowed to go to school (whether or not you agree that they should), the Chinuch of many hundreds of children is suffering.
Families have been placed under tremendous burdens during this time affecting Sholom Bayis and family Achdus quite literally.
The emotional toll of being rejected, humiliated and verbally assaulted by one’s own community, only to be “backed” by the seal of Halacha*, is one that has left many feeling turned off from Yiddishkeit and certainly lacking any leader who can guide them in how to proceed and navigate this difficult journey.
Whether you are staunchly convinced of your opinion or not, if only to be compassionate and available to guide the subset of your congregation who (are apparently sorely mistaken) and have very serious questions, I respectfully request that you review the letter by Dr. Bob Sears.
While this is only a sliver of the information that parent of unvaccinated children wish would not be overlooked by Rabbonim (and there are more questions and concerns we have regarding vaccination that I would like to express at a later point), it does address the current situation quite thoroughly.
I implore you to not “write off” this letter and its various points raised because in doing so, the families that this is nogeah to are not more inspired to follow the Psak that Badatz of Crown Heights publicized, but quite the contrary….
We are frum mothers, who try to adhere to the strictest standard of halacha. We have been entrusted with children to care for by the Aibishter and are doing what we believe is most aligned with ונשמרתם מאוד לנפשותיכם. We each have a personal story that has led us to where we are. (Many of us were strongly supportive of vaccinating and relied on our doctors unanimous assertion that vaccines are safe and effective for everyone until we saw our childrens’ health deteriorate). Please do not assume we are just some naive “anti-vaxxers” that have been misled by some conspiracy theories. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are asking with humility and respect that a Rov, that has Paskened so strongly regarding vaccinations, should explore this matter thoroughly so that our questions are actually addressed and not ignored.
Thank you
Respectfully,
*Although this issues extends far beyond the Lubavitch world, being that the Rebbe addressed the topic of vaccines it behooves every chossid to explore those letters. However, as one who has done so, I, as many as other chassidishe families have found these letters to be misappropriated in Piskei dinim. I can explain why in a follow up email if there is interest.
Answer:
I have read your email several times. Your pain and anguish is clearly noticeable and very well understood. At the same time, I don’t want my reply to come across as an off the cuff answer coming from someone who wishes to give you a wishy-washy answer, just to get you off my back. Therefore, I was seriously considering the notion that it might be better not to answer at all, because the answer might be perceived as though not taking your considerations seriously.
An additional point noteworthy of consideration here is: What I have encountered in many such discussions is the fact that the two sides often have strong opinions on the matter and they’re hardly convinced by hard facts, rationale or evidence. The different opinions are often based on cultural differences, personalities or backgrounds and other similar distinctions. A verbal or written exchange of ideas often results in further disillusionment, disappointments and widening the gap even more. This is no good for anyone. Obviously, this does not preclude my responsibilities as a Rav to express my opinion clearly on the matters I believe are governed by Halacha, especially when dealing with issues of potential Sakanas Nefashos. I understand that you’re well aware that I have done so already and that you appreciate the fact that my sole motivation for doing so was in order to act in accordance with my responsibility as a Rav.
(The fact that these rulings aren’t popular, or make me unpopular, is really not relevant. Many a time, a Rav has the Achrayus to give a communal Psak which won’t sit well with some members in the community. Of course, the Rav has to assess the situation well and reach a decision whether it’s better to speak or to remain silent. But once a decision has been reached that it’s incumbent upon him to state his opinion he may not shy away from it due to fear of reprisals or even of people being alienated by the Psak. Some recent examples come to mind: the Eruv controversy, call of the Shofar etc. In all these cases, the Rabbonim have researched the issue and have given a Psak which many people didn’t like. But that wouldn’t be a reason to withhold the Psak from the public.)
At the same time, repeating this Psak again and again won’t accomplish much and will only serve to alienate further those who have already been alienated, or even those who have not been alienated so far.
The same applies to a point by point rebuttal of the arguments mentioned: in my opinion they serve no purpose. There’s enough information available out there for those who wish to avail themselves of it in order to know the response that the pro-vaccination establishment, or in my opinion more correctly stated as the position of those who follow credible science, would say – and have said – about all the points raised. There are many doctors and professionals who could give you satisfactory answers to all these points, much better than anything I would write.
Another important point: responding to the specific arguments would mean that I’m engaging in medical and scientific issues, which is not my field or specialty. This would also take away time from my primary duty to teach Torah and Pasken Halachic Sha’alos. It is self understood that it makes no sense for a doctor to engage in Halachic research in order to reach a Halachic decision; if he would be doing so he will be overstepping his boundaries and would undermine even his medical standing. Likewise, the Rav must indeed seek out medical information from doctors and professionals and form a Halachic ruling. But it would be wrong for him to be involved in medical discussions and medical research on his own.
Incidentally, this is one of the core issues at the heart of the so-called vaccination debate. Society has reached a point where everyone has at their fingertips a wealth of information on the subject and can now form their own decisions without having the requisite training to know how to distinguish between fact and fiction or pseudoscience vs. real science. Even a simple matter such as statistics is a very thorough and comprehensive field, and stats can often be manipulated to achieve the desired result, something very different than the real truth. Only someone with a real understanding of the issues would be able to see things for what they really are.
Many of us experience this issue with our kids, specifically teenagers. The little bit of knowledge that they have makes them think they know better than us and should be making their own decisions. At times they are right, but unfortunately sometimes their choices can be quite dangerous.
A healthy dose of humility is in place for one to recognize their standing and know about which matters they’re capable of reaching decisions on their own and when they should rely on those wiser or more experienced than them to decide what the correct strategy is.
This is something we have heard countless times from the Rebbe about the delineation and demarcation of the various different professions and how it’s important that only the specialist in each field is consulted in order to form an opinion. When it came to territorial concessions in Eretz Yisroel, the Rebbe made it clear on many occasions that only the military experts are to be consulted and it should not involve politicians who have a different agenda. The Rebbe compared this to medicine that only doctors are the ones trusted according to Torah to rule what’s medically necessary.
As a general rule, the Rebbe has requested that the following formula be followed regarding all future questions that people wish to ask him: When it comes to business matters, friends who understand the situation should give advice; for Halacha matters – Rabbonim should Pasken; for medical issues we should follow the opinion of the majority of doctors, and in issues of Avodas Hashem the opinion of one’s Aseh Lecha Rav should be sought.
This brings me to the issue of the letters of the Rebbe you mentioned in passing. I take it that you, or others who are like minded, seek to interpret these letters in a different manner. I’ve heard many such arguments in the last few months from quite a few people. Truth be told, it seems to me that their interpretation is at best stretched, or worse an interpretation which is motivated by a preconceived notion. But none of this is germane to our discussion. It really makes no difference what I think of other people’s attempt to interpret these letters. The most important point for me is that as a Rav who’s been given the task to rule on such matters I must follow what I believe is the Rebbes’s position on these issues, even when others think their interpretation is superior.
(Moreover, the normative Torah approach is that Rabbonim are the one’s interpreting Torah and the laypeople follow their interpretation; it is surprising that people who always accept a Psak from a Rav in all matters of Torah are quick to point out in this matter the shortcomings of the Psak and attempt to impress upon the Rabbonim their own Peshat.)
As for the fact that some people are unfortunately alienated by this Psak, sadly there is not much that can be done about this. But there is a workable solution.
Under ordinary circumstances I wouldn’t take this approach. However upon reading your email over and over, I realize this is most suitable here, especially since we are dealing with an issue which involves saving lives and we cannot afford to sit back and relax. I don’t know who you are (at least, the name you used in this correspondence is not familiar to me), but the sincerity is clearly noticeable in your writing and indicates to me that you really desire to do the right thing Al Pee Torah. I therefore have taken the liberty to urge you to consider the following approach:
This can be understood by comparing it to the following scenario. One is involved in a heavy duty din Torah and has presented all their claims to the Beis Din, only to receive a Psak which deems them guilty and compels them to pay out of pocket thousands of dollars. The individual knows he is in the right. The Beis Din seems to have gotten it totally wrong. What is he to do in this situation? According to Torah, how is he supposed to perceive this situation? Unfortunately, there are many people who after losing a Psak in Beis Din were totally alienated from the Beis Din and Batei Dinim in general, refusing to accept the Psak and in some cases have even decided to take the issue up in secular Court, a grave offense according to Torah.
However, the Torah approach which many individuals have successfully mastered despite their initial misgivings and the obvious difficulty involved is to accept the Psak with humility and Bittul and appreciate that the Ratzon Hashem now is for him to pay the hard earned money to the other litigant, regardless of what he thinks about the matter. The same Torah that instructs him to wear Tefillin or her to wear a Sheitel wants him to pay out the money.
The only thing I can think of that can work over here is to do the same: accept the Psak with Bittul and Kabolas Ol and recognize that as “Chassidishe families” who understand “the integral role that Rabbonim play in leading a Frum life” we ought to follow them even when it doesn’t sit well with us. I know this might sound harsh and demanding, but anything else would really be untruthful to the perspective of Torah. It is plainly clear that the position that some Piskei Dinim are up to our discretion whether to accept or not is anathema to Torah.
The following might seem extreme to you but it is a real reflection of the truth according to Torah. I imagine that If you would have asked the Rebbe and received a clear answer to vaccinate here and now and to publicize this to others you wouldn’t hesitate for a second, despite all the issues you have raised. The truth is that a Psak from Rabbonim is exactly the same (aside from the fact that the Rebbe has already answered). For the sake of your kids’ lives and our kids’ lives, please take my words as they are intended, words from the heart which enter the heart.
Wishing you Hatzlacha.
Rabbi Braun addresses the issues clearly and logically. Blown away by this letter!
Very well put!
Thank you Rabbi Braun
I think Rabbi Braun is just trying to be nice to you. The reality is that we are trying to make to feel alone and ignored. It increases the likelihood that you will cease your selfish habit and start to vaccinate your children.
Kol Hakavod to Rabbi Braun for continuing to stand up for what’s right and not giving in to ideas of parents who are placing not only themselves, but everyone else too in danger.
It’s about time someone stood up and said what has to be said.
Just like the proverbial, “making a hole under one’s seat, while others are also in the boat”, so too, public health concerns and policy, like vaccinations, are not a singular choice, made by individuals. PH
Acting according to one’s conscience stops at the point where you affect others.
This is not about feelings.
Vaccines are one of the most revolutionary and lifesaving scientific discoveries of all time. If you read otherwise on Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, or a random site called something like “vaxxisbad.net”, you have been fed misinformation. If your one of your own children had a bad reaction to a vaccine, that means that you definitely need to vaccinate your other children. If a person is allergic or has an autoimmune disorder or chas v’sholom has cancer, or anything else that makes them vulnerable – it is crucial that everyone around them gets vaccinated. Additionally, if you ever read or hear some… Read more »
For clarifying once again in an outstanding manner
Misinformation in your first sentence! Lifesaving?? Ppl don’t get them to cure the sickness,nor are their lives in danger before or upon receiving them.. And then you expect me to keep on reading
Wishful thinking.
Vaccines have saved lives, therefore they are lifesaving.
Thousands of people who would have otherwise ch”v died from now eradicated diseases are still alive.
Uhh, yes, look at the statistics of how many children died R”L from vaccine preventable diseases before vaccines came out, and how many die today. ow many people do you know who died of measles? Or polio? Or diphtheria? Or…?
None? Exactly! Each of those thousands were saved by vaccines!
Prevented medicine is life saving medicine…. why take insulin? Just let your blood glucose sky rocked or plug you into a coma…
The only comforting fact with you anti vaxers is that for the most part, you, and not us are the ones getting sick.
Amazed by the thoughtful response
What many people may have not perceived as yet is that the psak din in effect brings down Divine protection from any possible harm from the vaccine that might have otherwise effected any of their children.
I have an honest question. Before the measles vaccination came out in the 1960s, kids got measles and after two weeks it was gone and would never return for a lifetime. With the vaccine it does return. So why is this vaccine so advantages. Why is the liberal politically correct establishment bent out of shape about measles. Where are they when dangerous immoral behavior causes AIDS yet there is a deafening silence.
If you mean “returning” by resurfacing in the population it is simple the less people vaccinated the more the virus spreads. Measles is airborne and can live in the air up to two hours it is extremly contagious. Because people are refusing to vaccinate the virus is spreading faster. People are “bent out of shape” because the disease is so contagious (i.e airborne). Your statement about AIDS being an “immoral” disease is extremly ignorant and uneducated. People are not “bent out of shape” (also as an aside people have been infected with HIV/AIDS who don’t partake in “immoral behavior”- however… Read more »
I agree
Good to know that science is liberal and politically correct. I’d rather stand with science than with conspiracy theorists.
Sadly, AIDs is not caused by immoral behavior, even the most moral person can contract AIDS. It is caused by an interaction that involved bodily fluids. That can be within a marriage, in a healthcare facility, your child’s school as well as many other scenarios. On to vaccinations returning when immunized. This happens in one of 3 cases: 1) the vaccine was not stored properly. This is why in EVERY health care facility the temp of the fridge is extremely regulated and monitored by healthcare professionals (not someone without a degree). 2) If the vaccination was given in less than… Read more »
before vaccination came out there was no choice and it is preferable to get it as a kid then later one. But no-one wants to get measels, and it is definitely not safe to get measles. and lately there were many serious results from measles. even death.
…but you would not want to take the chance.
My baby brother caught whooping cough when he was only 6 weeks old. By the grace of G-d he lived.
I would not wish on anyone to go through what he went through and what my parents went through.
Even “survivable” illnesses should be eradicated! You wouldn’t wish on someone to get “low-grade cancer”, even though “survival chances are good”…
I was never vaccinated. Neither was my mother. She got whooping cough when she was 16. I got it when I was 8. We passed this immunity onto our newborns in the womb and with breastmilk. There is something to say about the real herd immunity (developed through life long immunity by getting childhood diseases as a child!) proetecting those most vulnerable. Our babies never got whooping cough, though they all got it later, and are immune for life!
following Beis Din is now liberal? Next thing you’ll tell me that keeping kosher schita, being pro-life, promoting the noahide laws is also liberal?
Dear Rabbi thank you for answering so clear and beautifully the question.. I’d like to point out a very important law that most people aren’t aware of, it was passed in 1988, No vaccinemanufacturer shall be liable in a civil action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine. Can anyone explain why the vaccine makers should have any obligation to make those vaccines safe when they can NEVER be LIABLE for any damages resulted from vaccines….
Because vaccine manufacturers are part of the new world order… At one time the whole world believed the Earth was flat. At one time the whole world believed in only four elements. Today most doctors believe in vaccines. But it is not impartial science. Why do doctors study pharcuetical drugs for at least 1.5 years? Why not study preventive care instead? Why is it that medical textbooks are written by doctors currently a CEO or former CEO of pharnacuetical companies? That’s not an impartial opinion to me. I know personally a family that lost their healthy daughter after taking a… Read more »
Vaccines _are_ preventive care, and unlike your examples of a flat earth or four elements, they have been tested and found to work; just compare the death rates from such diseases then and now. (Heck, go to a cemetery and compare the number of child headstones then and now.) The rest of your post is a lot of unhinged conspiracy nonsense, and a perfect example of what Rabbi Braun is saying, that everyone fancies themselves an expert.
Unfortunately, people used to die from something as simple as a splinter. Likewise, people used to die more often from other diseases such as fevers, measles, etc. There have been 0 deaths in America BH’m from Measles in America since 2015 even amongst all of the current outbreaks (which by the way an outbreak is 3 or more people). There are over 100 deaths each year that are proven to be related to vaccines (from VAERS). In order to be reported, the family has to have the strength and resources to stand up in court and have the vaccine company… Read more »
This is incorrect. Vaccine companies are obligated to keep an open record of every vaccine interaction and that is public knowledge. Each and every case is followed up, either with the healthcare provider or the patient and their family. If you want a link to the website, let me know
Unfortunately, that is not the case in the US. The manufacturers actually take no part in the reporting system, which is done by the government and generally reported by doctors. A Harvard study found that fewer than 1% of injuries are likely reported. I would point out however that it does not take huge resources to report, rather just people don’t know to or know how and many doctors don’t either or are uncooperative.
Unfortunately the anti-vaxer parents are in the the same category as those who go out in public or send their children to school sick without considering or checking with a doctor if they could be contagious. Many cases of disisease from mildly discomforting to seriously life threatening to some people stem from this lack of consideration of others. The only legitimate reason for foregoing normative accepted medical precautions is after consultation with a medical professional familiar with the family/individual conditions and history and with the advice of a recognized posuk and taking the necessary pecautions to ensure that the individual… Read more »
Hello, by now everyone knows who Greg Mitchell is, he had a great role in “the prison reform” that has been passed most recent. He clearly stated to fight for the ANTI VAXERS, he said the following, ” IAM a lobbyist, Iam very familiar with Albany / Washington. I know that lobbying business very well and I know information that you people do NOT know. “yes” the pharmaceutical companies make sure to pass laws in best Favor for them… We are naive by believing that they mean our favor. Dive in a little deeper and you will discover shocking info… Read more »
Beautifully said. Stand by your Psak and like you said, The Rebbe already gave his psak too.
You may feel rejected, but you are putting so many folks in danger. You are living among human beings who can contract the disease….not on an Island of poor me.
Out of the 530 or so cases, how many were actually dangerous? More people get sick from alcohol and smoke inhalation. Maybe the Rav should pasken against those.
What a well written, thought out, clear answer!!
Did R Braun even read the included letter from Dr. Sears? Seems he didn’t, sadly.
How do you know? Why should anyone take the word of a fringe and discredited individual over the consensus of the medical community?
Your comment is an emotional response to what the majority of commenters have described as “well thought out and to the point”.
But as a naive individual, I looked up “online” – Dr Bob Sears, Wikipedia et al, If you did you wouldn’t be surprised why any Rabbinic authority would take his “minority and dangerous opinions” seriously. Do you homework, and have a little Emunah and Bitachon in Hashem and his Torah.
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/123/1/e164.full.pdf is a good start. The Anti-Vaxxers are so heavily skewed towards anti-vaxx that they cannot even read the material that debunks every claim with real scientific data. If you read Dr. Sears’ book, you clearly see that he relies heavily on his intuition and NOT on real data.
Dr Sears has his medical licence on probation.
Dr. Sears writes to anti-vax parents: “I also warn them not to share their fears with their neighbors, because if too many people avoid the MMR, we’ll likely see the diseases increase significantly.”
Does that sound like someone who should be taken seriously?
you & your family feel rejected and ignored because you didn’t get the answer you wanted. That’s life… you ask a shailah you may not like the response but you follow it anyway. If you don’t, then don’t complain.
Rabbi Braun nailed this one.
She should feel ignored! Clearly any scientific evidence isn’t pressuring her enough to actually listen and vaccinate her kids!
I am sorry to say that I have zero compassion for this woman. She reminds me of the tzaddik in peltz, who warms themselves while allowing those around them to freeze to death. Vaccinations eradicated serious childhood illnesses. Until parents chose to listen to conspiracy theories, for the most part, children did not get the measles. It is a nasty illness that can have lasting side effects on the children. Children who are not vaccinated should not be allowed in schools or camps as they are the only places where checking who is vaccinated and who is not can take… Read more »
To vaccinate or not vaccinate your children. This right is being argued, on both sides, in court – regarding the ‘legal’ right; and is being discussed by rabbonim – regarding the halaichic ‘right, or obligation. What you most certainly do not have a ‘right’ to is being meant to feel good about your choice. You’re complaining about ‘feeling rejected’ – well, yes, when you do things that most eoe recognize as against the public good, you might very well fee rejected. You cannot claim any right to be made to feel comfortable even as you assert your – disputedly –… Read more »
What does Torah say about believing aidim who are threatened with professional sanction and lawsuits vs less professional but honest arbiters? The Rebbe’s letters talk about vaccines that were given one dose at a time and in older babies (since that’s what vaccines were up until the 90s).
Thank you for this very clear letter and for calling on people to have humility
I believe rabbi Braun – with utmost respect to him – wasn’t making a blanket statement. Each person (and child) is an individual with his or her own circumstances, abilities, and weaknesses. While it may be good public, and even personal policy, for the overwhelming majority of the population to be vaccinated, there are some individuals for whom the danger of side affects from a vaccine are greater than the danger from the disease. Such individual should NOT be vaccinated (this is the standard used by the National Center for Disease Control). It appears to me that if she has… Read more »
fully agree
There are two sides to every story.
There are rabbonim in both side. Don’t forget that. The drug pharmaceutical companies are highly corrupt. You see their salesman and women all dressed up very fancy cajoling doctors to buy their companies medications. They give doctors gifts from trips to restaurants to get them to stuff our community with drugs.
who is she to critisize the rabbonim? we are frum jews and listen to rabbonim therefore. guess what? a rov has a full right to make takkonos for his kehilla! remove your gaava and stop thinking that the rabbonim dont know what they are talking about and that they “misunderstand” you or the situation. they are the ones who are seeing life correctly because they know halacha and see the world through torah eyes. the fact that your humiliation is backed by halacha is your own fault. you decided not to listen to rabbonim and the halacha they paskened. you… Read more »
Gifts to doctors have very strict guidelines, both in the amount and who they are benefiting (hint it’s you: the patient), please look it up.
I have spoken to doctors on the gifts they get from the salesmen and women from medical pharmaceutical companies. They travel to florida and other such vacation areas. By having doctors push medications on their patients is how the corrupt drug companies rake in billions. And no one seems to know where the ingredients to these drugs come from. Lots of them are fake. They originate from far flung areas and n change an BMI pharmacy has any idea where the ingredients can me from. We are dealing with a dangerous situation. Not saying anti vaxx are right but they… Read more »
If that is truly the case, you should report them to the medical board. That is unethical and a huge red flag
You think these well dressed suit and tie young salesmen and women are there to just shmuz with the doctor. They come to lobby to him to sell their companies imitation drug copy. Many ingredients come from China and no real way of double check ing their effect.
Just because they’re corrupt, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re wrong!
Remember Noah. Where would we be if he followed the majority. Remember the Exodus from Egypt. Remember Eliyahu Hanavi. Remember the 24000 students of Rabbi Akiva. Remember the Holocost. I understand you fear of diseaese. but would you give up this practise for the Geula.
“for medical issues we should follow the opinion of the majority of doctors” It seems to me that the Rebbe told us to consult a doctor who is a friend, a rofeh yedid, not a majority opinion. ******** I recently asked our family doctor why one year we’re told to take a flu shot and another year we are not told to take a flu shot; one year we are told to take a certain medication or a vitamin and then several years later we are told not to; one year we are told that schmaltz is terrible for us… Read more »
When you were young and kids got mumps ad measles and germa measles – and some boys who got mumps became sterile, and girls who had german measles were their fertiity affected…don’t minimize it by sayng no big deal. If it were your son who got mumps and became sterile you wouldn’t think it was no big deal
Dear Rabbi Braun; I am very grateful for you letter. You answered the issue of your Halachic ruling with clarity and substance, and with measured tone. When a Rov gives a psak, to me it is no different then when I, a physician make a decision how to treat and with what to treat. When I recommended a certain procedure based on the science that the treatment works, there is the possibility of a complication, or a poor outcome. Nevertheless, if the benefit outweighs the risk, we then prescribe, or suggest the necessary therapy. If the benefit is equal to… Read more »
Why is it that when it comes to vaccines there isn’t any informed consent like you describe above?
Parents are not presented with the necessary information giving the benefits vs. risk of each disease ahd vaccine and given the chance to make their own choice. In America the pediatricians push the vaccines saying only “it’s safe and effective” and it stops there.
No I didn’t read r Braun’s letter, and yes I do vaccinate my kids but the way people who don’t vaccinate are being treated is so sickening – I definitely support their decision all the way. OBVIOUSLY vaccines HAVE harmed many children unfortunately and therefore every mother should be allowed to make that decision and weigh the risks for herself. Stop expecting some people to endanger their own children in order to ” save” yours. And realize , it’s too new to declare it’s ‘safe’ for everyone. And not everyone is willing to risk it. For you measles might be… Read more »
Why to take game from a Rov, his answer is good so no one will sue him for his answers later . The CH Beis Din can’t change state Health Laws. If you do believe that vaccines are bad go fight it against the health department and etc, why to address these issues to the someone that is not a doctor or not a scientist. If you believe that is bad for you, ask your doctor and do the best, but you are living in a frum society where majority are kids or pregnant women so pls take into consideration… Read more »
Anti vaxxers want to claim religious exemptions since they can’t get any real medical exemptions. Well, the rabbis aren’t going to give an exemption either.
“Of the cases in 2019, 9% of them have been hospitalized and 3% have had pneumonia. At this time, there have been no deaths.” -from the transcript of the CDC teleconference {Source in links} Now….Let’s break this down (copied from Shannon Barbeau Strayhorn): “In a population of 330 million, 800 or so got measles (they gave a 700 number so I am actually going higher here). 9% went to the hospital, but just for easy math let’s say 10%. So 80 people went to the hospital because they had measles. 80 out of 330 million people. But let’s again say… Read more »
The facts have no place in this conversation. Drug companies spend 2x as much as any other lobby in politics in this country. Keep repeating “vaccines are safe and effective” and then it has to be true. It doesn’t matter that according to https://vaers.hhs.gov/ and a Harvard review of the system there were 6,000,000 injuries and 48,000 deaths from vaccines in 2018. It doesn’t matter that the USA, the greatest country, in the world has the highest infant mortality rate in the world. It’s worse than all the industrialized countries combined. It doesn’t matter that 54% of the people in… Read more »
ne should not separate oneself from the community, and if, as it appears from your letter, they use it in Chicago, it is good if you do so as well…” 2 Sivan, 5715 (Igros 11:137): “In reply to your query regarding my opinion on vaccinations that are currently given to young children, and how he should act regarding this. With regards to these kinds of matters it says “Al Tifrosh Min Hatzibur/Do not separate from the community”. Therefore, you should act according to that which is practiced by the majority of children who are in your children’s school.” 13 Iyar,… Read more »
“Of the cases in 2019, 9% of them have been hospitalized and 3% have had pneumonia. At this time, there have been no deaths.” -from the transcript of the CDC teleconference {Source in links} Now….Let’s break this down (copied from Shannon Barbeau Strayhorn): “In a population of 330 million, 800 or so got measles (they gave a 700 number so I am actually going higher here). 9% went to the hospital, but just for easy math let’s say 10%. So 80 people went to the hospital because they had measles. 80 out of 330 million people. But let’s again say… Read more »
I have told my children that any of their classmates who are not vaccinated are not welcome in our home. I do not need to have the extra worry in case a married sibling is pregnant and the non-vaccinated friend is carrying around diseases. I feel absolutely no remorse. You made your choice, live with the consequences.
someone is not vaccinated, doesn’t mean they will suddenly combust into a deadly illness!!! CHVSH!!!!
I am also quite certain that if my child suffered a severe reaction to a vaccine like brain encephalitis one of many legal and medically established vaccine reactions and as such suffered permanent atypical neurological behavior, it is quite possible he or she wouldn’t be welcome in your house ANYWAY , in fact they might not even be classmates ALL TOGETHER assuming YOUR child is not enrolled in a school for children with special needs, so I will happily PASS on any invitation to your house, anytime anyday!
a single thoughtless family in one Jewish community infected 8 of their own with measles under the silly notion that vaccines are dangerous. the simple simple truth is the same reasons we wear seat belts, wash our hands with soap, use toilet paper, and wear helmets when we ride bikes. The idea of preventative medicine is the best philosophy medicine has to offer period. if more people made up their own minds instead of being dragged into pseudo science hoaxes, this discussion would never take place and frankly I wouldn’t be so embarrassed to be of the same commu it… Read more »
the funny thing is that they ARE making up their minds…
it’s harder to go against society and the flow then just do what everyone else is telling you to..
(and btw i vaccinate)
I read each word and was very impressed. He took the time to answer in a thought out way and walk the individual and klal through some things we may have forgotten.
May Hashem bless him and the writer to avoid machlokes and bring Ahavas Yisrael between all of us – It is most crucial to realize that we must follow the rabbonim. that is what the torah demands of us. that is our mesiras nefesh.
Thank You.