WHAT IS THE ROLE OF DOCTORS IN JEWISH LAW? | Cosmetic Surgery in Halacha Part I | Rabbi Levi Y. New

Hampstead's Kollel hosts a weekly "Shaalos U’Teshuvos" class. These are not usually recorded. We made an exception for this series. Enjoy!

In this series, we’ll be looking at two opinions regarding the question: Is it permitted to perform or undergo cosmetic surgery when there is no medical need?

The first opinion we’ll look at is from Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Waldenberg (1915 - 2006, Yerushalayim). Rabbi Waldenberg is one of the leading Poskim of this generation, famous for his bold stance on many questions of medical ethics (such as abortion, transgender, hearing aids on Shabbos, prohibition to smoke, in vitro fertilization, and the like).

Rabbi Waldenberg was a prolific writer whose responsa, Tzitz Eliezer, spans 22 volumes! In addition to other works he published.

The Teshuva we learn is in Tzitz Eliezer vol. 11 41:8-9.

The second opinion we’ll look at is from Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (1895 - 1986, New York). He too is one of the leading Posek of the last generation. We’ve had occasion at these classes to look at other Shu”t from Rabbi Feinstein whose wise and sensitive nature comes through in his writings. This Shu”t follows that same model.
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Shaalos U'Teshuvos (lit: Questions and Answers, commonly known as Rabbinic Responsa) are treatises written by halachic authorities in response to questions posed to them by individuals, fellow rabbis, or communities. The tradition of responsa dates back to the times of the Talmud, and the literature it produced serves as an invaluable narrative of Jewish life over the millennia. Unlike a code of law written in the abstract, Teshuvos deal with real-life issues as they present themselves to Jews trying to follow the code. They not only offer practical answers but also open a window into the sages' thinking as they processed these questions and looked to Torah as their guide.