Ask the Rabbi: ‘Reacting to Jews for Jesus”
In this week’s Ask the Rabbi, Rabbi Reuven Livingstone answers your questions! If you want to send a question in, email: asktherabbi@thejngroup.com
I think friend’s wife is a cheat
Dear Rabbi,
I believe that my friend’s wife is cheating on him. Do I tell someone or keep it to myself?
Frances
Dear Frances,
This is, unfortunately a rather excruciating dilemma! In the first instance, it is prudent to approach the wife directly. You can indicate what you have heard and check out what she has to say. This may clarify the matter sufficiently for you to decide to pull back – for instance, if she categorically denies what you have heard; or if, on the other hand, she says that her husband already knows. If nothing comes of confronting her, then you should very carefully assess the evidence as best you can. If it is clear and credible then, having already spoken to her, it is right to gingerly approach the husband – for there are very real risks – moral, physical and Halachic – to him in this situation. If, however, it is at all ambiguous and less than clear – and having already spoken to the wife who presumably denies the affair – then the greater part of wisdom lies in keeping one’s own counsel. The Sages famously say that sometimes, just as it is a mitzvah to say what needs saying, at other times it is equally a mitzvah to keep shtum!
Can sick dog be put down?
Dear Rabbi,
Am I allowed to put down my dog, who is very sick and old?
Geoffrey
Dear Geoffrey,
I have recently answered a similar question by highlighting that no living thing should be terminated even for logical reasons without extremely careful consideration – as the Torah says: “His mercy is with all His creations…” It should, however, be noted that the rules regarding such euthanasia are quite different as between animals and humans. Jewish law looks on the situation regarding a pet more leniently if they are suffering – but there still must be some responsible veterinary opinion as to when the balance has tipped in favour of the ‘greater kindness’ in sparing your dog any further ordeal. Only once that has been determined will it be permissible to allow the vet to do this.
Assisted suicide exceptions?
Dear Rabbi,
Is assisted suicide ever allowed if the person is in pain and dying anyway? Justine
Dear Justine,
Assisted suicide, such as that offered at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, is not allowed according to the Halacha. There are dispensations that may allow passive non-intervention in situations where someone is being artificially kept alive – but not otherwise. All manner of life has value according to the Torah and any shortening of that existence by a human hand is not only wrong, but a slippery slope toward euthanising murder.
Reacting to Jews for Jesus
Dear Rabbi,
Do you advise ignoring the new Jews for Jesus shop in Hendon, or taking definitive action against it?
Edward
Dear Edward,
I don’t know what you mean by definitive action. If that involves anything other than peaceful boycott or protest, then it would be illegal and as such forbidden. We must always be mindful that we benefit enormously from the freedom of religious expression allowed in this country and have to think very carefully before seeking to undermine the same for others – no matter how distasteful their activities are to us. It is best all-round from a Jewish perspective simply to ignore it while getting on with one’s own spiritual life.
Support for parody shows
Dear Rabbi,
Is it OK to support television shows such as Friday Night Dinner if they sometimes mock Jews?
Esther
Dear Esther
I have not seen the programme. However, if a show tends to parody a community on a light-hearted basis that could apply more or less to any ethnicity, then one should probably take it in one’s stride and try to see the funny side. If, on the other hand, there is any whiff of deliberate anti-Jewish sentiment or distasteful caricature, then that should never be supported.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
