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Misc 9 This is the law when two men fight, and one hits the other with a stone or his fist. If [the victim] does not die, but becomes bedridden, and then gets up and can walk on his own, the one who struck him shall be acquitted. Rather he must pay for the loss of work, and must provide for a full cure. From here the Gemara derives "Permission is given for a doctor to cure." The Gemara says elsewhere "In a city without a doctor, it is forbidden for a learned man to dwell." We find many great and leading Rabbis throughout the ages who were doctors. Most famous is the Rambam, other include; Shmuel of the Gemara, R' Chaninah, R' Ovadyah of Bartnurah and many others. How do we reconcile this with the gemara's statement "The best of the doctors are condemned to Gehinom?" Numerous answers have been given. Among them are: ¨ A doctor should always see the possibility of eternal condemnation before him, for through a slight miscalculation or lack of sufficient care it is possible for him to kill. ¨ One who considers himself the best of the doctors will go to Gehinom. Through this conceit he will not consult with others and therefore make mistakes. ¨ During the study and practice of medicine it can become difficult to keep the laws of Shabbos, kashrus, modesty, or respect for people. In his conceit about the importance of his work, a doctor may excuse himself and not give sufficient weight to these responsibilities which devolve upon every Jew. A family member of the Chozeh from Lublin came to him and asked that the Chozeh mention him in his prayers, as the doctors had given up hope on his returning to health. Said to him the Chozeh, "Doctors have been given permission to cure - not to give up hope." R' Yitzchok Elchanan Spector, the Rav of Kovno and one of the leading Rabbonim in pre-war Europe, was extremely ill. A leading professor from Vienna was called to his bedside. After examining him, the professor left saying that the situation was hopeless and the family should begin preparations for the patient's imminent demise. Thank G-d the professor's prognosis was wrong and the Rabbi made a full recovery Sometime later this professor met R' Yitzchok Elchanan in the street in Vienna. Turning to the Rav with astonishment he said, "Is it really you?! You must have come back from the dead!!!" R' Yitzchok Elchanan responded swiftly. "You are indeed correct. I have come back from the dead. However, while I was dead I did you a great favour. As I was being led to the heavenly court I saw a line of distinguished looking gentlemen. Upon inquiring, I was told that this is the line of the best doctors who are on the way to Gehinom. Looking over the line carefully, I suddenly recognised you standing there in the line. Turning to the angel in charge I assured him that you were not a doctor. After all you do not cure those who are ill, you give up on them!" |
