- All the Questions
Vaccinations- Are some Rabbis opposed and fatalistic?
Question
Does anybody hold that one should not vaccinate, and if so, what is the debate?
Answer
All (!) halachic authorities obligate taking medically recommended vaccinations. Judaism clearly believes in man’s Free Will and the significance of our actions, and not in pre-determinism or fatalism. We definitely are against saying: “If God wants me to be sick or healthy, that’s what will be anyway, so why take vaccinations…”! For one isn’t allowed to rely on miracles, but must follow the way of the world (e.g. Rashi, Tosfot, Bava Kama 85a).
What you may have heard is that there is a place where some mistakenly (!) understand the Talmud (Brachot 60a) which says that doctors have “permission” to heal, as if to say that it’s just permission, and not an obligation. But Rashi and Tosfot already explain that this is davka to correct the possible mistake that some religions make, thinking that medicine “overturns” (sic!) the will of God (ibid). Alternatively, the Ramban (who was himself a doctor!) explained that this quote is to make sure that potential doctors don’t say, “who needs this headache- what if I might make a mistake…“, but in fact, healing is a mitzvah, and not just permission (Nedarim 41b). Similarly, there is an oft-misquoted mishna which says that the rabbis were in favor of King Chizkiah’s “discarding” the “Book of Medicines” (Psachim 4, 9), whereas the Rambam (who was also a world-class doctor!) explains that it was a book of old remedies which was being misused, killing people instead of healing them. I have heard that there is a small cult of extremist Ba’alei Tshuva who won’t vaccinate their children, but this misunderstanding is against all of the poskim and must be corrected!

Davening alone
Rabbi David Sperling | Kislev 28, 5783

Minhag of prayer
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 18 Nisan 5766

Tznius (dressing modestly) in the home
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar I 17, 5782

Binding details to the Noahide commandments
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 10, 5783

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

How to manage to not listen Loshon Hara?
Adar I 23, 5771

Keeping non-definite chametz and staying in a dorm
Nisan 3, 5771

Ayin hara and Rambam
Tevet 28, 5771

Birkat Hamazon - extra verses
Adar II 25, 5771

Repeating words in tefillah
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 21, 5775

Washing hands and touching clothes
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 24, 5780

Minimum Shacharis
Rabbi David Sperling | Adar 25, 5781

Petting animals on Shabbat
Various Rabbis | Nisan 29, 5768

Using Father's or Mother's Name in Judaism
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shevat 4, 5783
Apartment Eviction
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Shevat 9, 5783

Organization
Various Rabbis | Shevat 10, 5783
