Milwaukee rabbis admit we don't know...
Is this a case of the blind leading the blind? Are the "Gedolei Haposkim" really doing their research? These rabbis admit they themselves have not! Did each of them go and get all the requisite vaccines? Doubtful... though I am happy to be proven wrong.
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It is no secret that Americans in general, and the American Torah community in particular, have been struggling in recent months with the issue of Measles / Mumps / Rubella (MMR) immunization. This is a serious and urgent matter. Non-immunized adults and children can create potentially life threatening circumstances for those with depressed immune systems; in any event, symptoms of these diseases can be severe and crippling. Consequently, we are ultimately confronted by Halachic questions dealing with “Dinei Nefoshos” (life-and death laws).
We, the undersigned, make no pretense to medical expertise, nor to have done personal research into this subject. However, as recognized leaders of the local Torah community, we are being asked by our constituencies to guide them to act responsibly as Torah observant Jews.
In the absence of a Sanhedrin, we look to the Torah giants of our generation for their Halachic conclusions. While it is true that even amongst them there can be diverse opinions, it appears to us in this case, the greatest majority of them are clear that all Torah abiding Jews should be protected against Measles, Mumps and Rubella with the MMR vaccine. As such, we strongly encourage everyone to see to it that they and their families are appropriately vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, especially since it involves life and death issues.
Let us be clear about the fact that we are relying on what we know to be the thoroughly researched opinions of Gedolei Ha’Poskim in our generation, with the guidance from those we trust to guide us through any medical questions as they arise within our community. This is the approach we take with all questions of medicine and halachah.
Rabbi Michel Twerski
Rabbi Benzion Twerski
Rabbi Mendel Senderovic
Rabbi Avraham Boruch Rauch
Rabbi Yehudah Cheplowitz
Rabbi Dovid Kossovsky
Rabbi Chaim Twerski
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It is no secret that Americans in general, and the American Torah community in particular, have been struggling in recent months with the issue of Measles / Mumps / Rubella (MMR) immunization. This is a serious and urgent matter. Non-immunized adults and children can create potentially life threatening circumstances for those with depressed immune systems; in any event, symptoms of these diseases can be severe and crippling. Consequently, we are ultimately confronted by Halachic questions dealing with “Dinei Nefoshos” (life-and death laws).
We, the undersigned, make no pretense to medical expertise, nor to have done personal research into this subject. However, as recognized leaders of the local Torah community, we are being asked by our constituencies to guide them to act responsibly as Torah observant Jews.
In the absence of a Sanhedrin, we look to the Torah giants of our generation for their Halachic conclusions. While it is true that even amongst them there can be diverse opinions, it appears to us in this case, the greatest majority of them are clear that all Torah abiding Jews should be protected against Measles, Mumps and Rubella with the MMR vaccine. As such, we strongly encourage everyone to see to it that they and their families are appropriately vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, especially since it involves life and death issues.
Let us be clear about the fact that we are relying on what we know to be the thoroughly researched opinions of Gedolei Ha’Poskim in our generation, with the guidance from those we trust to guide us through any medical questions as they arise within our community. This is the approach we take with all questions of medicine and halachah.
Rabbi Michel Twerski
Rabbi Benzion Twerski
Rabbi Mendel Senderovic
Rabbi Avraham Boruch Rauch
Rabbi Yehudah Cheplowitz
Rabbi Dovid Kossovsky
Rabbi Chaim Twerski
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