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Vaccines and Halacha: An Alternative View


Note:  Halacha means "Jewish law and jurisprudence, based on the Talmud". 
The links below take a comprehensive look at this important issue.  The author of the Sasson Magazine article chooses to remain anonymous.
-Kevin Barry

Part 1:  https://sassonmag.com/vaccines-and-halacha-an-alternative-view-2/
Part 2:  https://sassonmag.com/vaccines-and-halacha-an-alternative-view-part-ii/

The Conclusion states:

"To sum up what we have demonstrated:
  • Evidence of long-term vaccine safety is utterly lacking;
  • The 1-10% of short-term adverse events from vaccines occur in sufficient numbers to prohibit vaccination, unless their benefits are even greater, and proven beyond doubt;
  • Such benefits have not been objectively observed nor proven; on the opposite, there is considerable evidence that vaccines may cause more harm than good.
  • Since, as we have seen, medical procedure on a healthy individual for his protection and that of others may only be done if “no real risk is involved and only minimal discomfort is caused”, we may conclude that current vaccination policies violate the biblical commandment of ונשמרתם מאד לנפשותיכם, and should be forbidden (1).
  • Should someone choose to deny the above evidence and claim that vaccination benefits outweigh its risks, it remains that, since medical authorities and pharmaceutical companies concede that vaccination does involve some risks, no one has the authority to force other people to vaccinate their children."

    1.      1Deuteronomy 4:15, You shall beware for your soul very much. 
    (This verse means that a Jew must do everything to protect his/her life and soul, and it refers to guarding your spirituality.   It is used in that context today - referring to taking care of your health, body, etc. )

    Please read on for a Rabbi's Open Letter to The Jewish Community.
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    An Open Letter to the Jewish Community (Jan 24, 2019)

  • ".... Regardless of where one stands on the spectrum of health-decisions, the vaccine question (mandatory, optional, only beneficial, questionable side-effects) is one which will not be settled in any forum. Certainly not online, in chat groups, or even in person. There are those who feel there is only one side. There are those who feel there are two sides.

    Those who vaccinate believe strongly in their position. Those who do not vaccinate believe strongly in their position. There is an insurmountable impasse that no amount of sharing of information will convince the other side to accept or change.

    The biggest concerns I have are over the repercussions of the realities just laid out because they are currently impacting the Jewish community, and we must come up with solutions soon, or many Jewish families will find themselves without a community.

  • We must realize that every Jewish soul is precious, even with a different view of health 
  • We must realize that every Jewish family is part of our collective family – they and we are all included in Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael 
  • We have to come to an understanding of what constitutes a danger to others vs what is not a danger to others 
  • We have to find a compromise that allows all children to attend school regardless of family health choices (contingent on acceptable answers to #3) 

I know there are people who are willing to have this conversation. A forum needs to be provided so that all fears can be addressed, and compromises and understandings can be reached..."