The Jewish View on Organ Donation, A Letter from Rabbi Pachter

Dear Friends,

Organ donation is not only permissible in Jewish Law, some would go so far as to say it is obligatory.
Many of us long believed that this was not the case. Our confusion, and even mistaken notion in this regard stems from a few reasons:
1. In Judaism, we believe that one should be buried whole, with all one’s organs intact.
2. It is our practice to bury a loved one quickly, and organ donation delays burial.
3. We have heard that organ transplants are not successful, and therefore the desecration of the donor’s body does not result in saving a life.
Despite the above objections, rabbis of all movements now agree that organ donation is a correct choice for a Jewish person.
Advancements in modern medicine now enable organ donations to overwhelmingly benefit the recipient. In the case of a deceased donor, the removal of the organ does not prevent a family from proceeding with a quick burial. Although we still believe in preserving our bodies as God gave them to us, we also believe that saving a life is a more important mitzvah.
Therefore, I urge you to strongly consider becoming an organ donor, both during your lifetime, if possible, and following your death. You should discuss this important decision with your family and your doctors. To learn more about the Jewish high regard for organ donation, please visit the following web address: http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/organ-donation-card.

- Rabbi Elliot Pachter

Congregation B’nai Moshe

This letter was written as a response to two local Jews who are in need of an organ and have enlisted our community’s help. To learn more about how to help, please email B’nai Moshe Executive Director, Steven Fine at sfine@bnaimoshe.org