JME Medical Halacha Archives
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's Medical Responsa in Igros Moshe
A guide to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein’s medical responsa, organized by clinical and halachic topic.
Igros Moshe (אגרות משה) is also transliterated Igrot Moshe or Iggerot Moshe.
Brief Biography
Universally known as Rav Moshe or Reb Moshe, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986) was among the most influential halachic authorities of the twentieth century. Born in the Russian Empire and later settling in New York, he served for decades as Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem on the Lower East Side. His responsa, collected principally in Igros Moshe, addressed the rapidly changing circumstances of Jewish life in the modern world and became foundational works of contemporary halachic decision-making.
Halachic questions related to medicine occupy a particularly important place in Rav Moshe’s writings. The twentieth century confronted halachic authorities with modern hospital practice, mechanical ventilation, transplantation, reproductive technologies, genetic screening, psychiatric treatment, increasingly sophisticated surgery, and changing medical understandings of death and dying. Jewish physicians simultaneously faced practical questions about practicing medicine on Shabbos, medical education, autopsy, treating non-Jewish patients, and balancing professional responsibilities with halachic observance.
How to Use This Index
The index covers 136 responsa from the seven volumes of Igros Moshe published during Rav Moshe’s lifetime.
Rav Moshe addressed medical and health-related questions throughout Igros Moshe. Dr. Fred Rosner, who personally consulted Rav Moshe during his medical career, compiled a bibliography for the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists identifying these responsa across the published volumes. Rosner’s bibliography is organized according to the sequence of the original volumes. This JME archive serves a different purpose: it reorganizes the material by clinical and halachic topic so that physicians, rabbis, students, and researchers can begin with the question they are studying.
Use the topic links below to identify relevant responsa, then consult the original Igros Moshe. For structured study, download JMAR’s printable checklist of all 136 entries, organized both by topic and by volume. Readers who prefer Rosner’s original volume sequence can also consult his “Medical Responsa in Igrot Moshe” bibliography.
Clinical practice
Physicians, Medical Training, and Shabbos
| Topic | Citation | Question | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikuach nefesh following negligence | O.C. I:127 | Does prior negligence affect the obligation to violate Shabbos to save a life? | Addresses pikuach nefesh where the dangerous situation arose through negligence. |
| Measuring temperature | O.C. I:128 | May a patient’s temperature be measured on Shabbos? | Addresses temperature measurement as part of medical care on Shabbos. |
| Physicians traveling on Shabbos | O.C. I:131 | May a physician travel to a distant hospital on Shabbos? | Addresses Shabbos travel by a physician to provide hospital care. |
| Physicians working on Shabbos | O.C. IV:79 | How should an observant physician conduct necessary medical work on Shabbos? | Addresses the physician’s responsibilities and medically necessary activity on Shabbos. |
| Returning from an emergency | O.C. IV:80 | May emergency medical personnel return after responding on Shabbos? | Addresses returning from an emergency after performing lifesaving work. |
| Emergency communication equipment | O.C. IV:81 | May emergency personnel carry beepers on Shabbos? | Addresses carrying emergency communication equipment for lifesaving purposes. |
| Writing laboratory information | E.H. IV:73:4 | May a patient’s name be written on a laboratory slip on Shabbos? | Addresses medically necessary writing associated with laboratory testing. |
| Pikuach nefesh and Shabbos | C.M. II:79 | How does pikuach nefesh affect Shabbos restrictions? | Further addresses lifesaving medical care on Shabbos. |
Religious observance
The Patient: Shabbos, Yom Tov, and Religious Observance
| Topic | Citation | Question | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tefillin in the hospital | O.C. I:4-7 | How should a hospitalized patient fulfill the mitzvah of tefillin? | Addresses practical questions concerning tefillin during hospitalization. |
| Paralyzed arm and tefillin | O.C. I:8-9 | Where should someone with a paralyzed left arm place tefillin? | Addresses tefillin when the left arm is paralyzed. |
| Foley catheter and prayer | O.C. I:27 | May a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter pray? | Addresses prayer while using a urinary catheter. |
| Seeing-eye dog in synagogue | O.C. I:45 | May a blind person enter a synagogue with a guide dog? | Addresses disability accommodation and the sanctity of the synagogue. |
| Prayer for a sick patient | O.C. I:105 | How should one pray for a seriously ill patient? | Addresses prayer for the sick, including considerations relevant to Shabbos and Yom Tov. |
| Fever on Shabbos | O.C. I:129 | When does fever justify prohibited Shabbos activity? | Addresses fever and the distinction between ordinary illness and possible danger. |
| Food used medicinally | O.C. I:130 | May foods be consumed specifically as medicine on Shabbos? | Addresses foods used for medicinal purposes on Shabbos. |
| Accompanying a pregnant woman | O.C. I:132 | May someone accompany a pregnant woman in a taxi to the hospital on Shabbos? | Addresses accompanying a pregnant woman traveling to the hospital on Shabbos. |
| Shofar for psychiatric patient | O.C. I:172 | How should shofar be handled for a psychotic patient? | Addresses blowing shofar for a psychotic patient. |
| Eating before davening | O.C. II:26 | May an ill patient eat before prayer? | Addresses eating before davening when medically necessary. |
| Medicine mixed with food | O.C. II:86 | May medicine be mixed into food on Shabbos? | Addresses mixing medicine into food on Shabbos. |
| Medicine containing chametz | O.C. II:92 | May medicine containing chametz be taken on Pesach? | Addresses chametz-containing medicine on Pesach. |
| Medication on Shabbos | O.C. III:53 | May medication be taken on Shabbos? | Addresses taking medicines on Shabbos. |
| Vitamins on Shabbos | O.C. III:54 | May vitamins be taken on Shabbos? | Addresses vitamins for healthy and ill individuals. |
| Medicinal alcohol on Pesach | O.C. III:62 | May alcohol containing chametz be used for medicinal purposes on Pesach? | Addresses chametz-containing alcohol used medicinally on Pesach. |
| IV feeding on Yom Kippur | O.C. III:90 | Must intravenous feeding be used to avoid eating on Yom Kippur? | Addresses intravenous nutrition and the obligation to fast. |
| Medication on Yom Kippur | O.C. III:91 | May necessary medication be taken on Yom Kippur? | Addresses taking medication during the fast. |
| Tefillin for a hospitalized patient | O.C. IV:8 | How should a hospitalized patient fulfill the mitzvah of tefillin? | Further addresses tefillin for a hospitalized patient. |
| Hearing aids | O.C. IV:85 | May a hearing-impaired person use a hearing aid on Shabbos? | Addresses use of a hearing aid on Shabbos. |
| IV feeding on Yom Kippur | O.C. IV:101:3 | Should intravenous nutrition be used on Yom Kippur? | Further addresses intravenous feeding and fasting. |
| Intravaginal medication | O.C. IV:105:4 | May medicinal intravaginal suppositories be used? | Addresses medicinal intravaginal suppositories. |
| Medicinal rectal suppositories | O.C. IV:121 | May medicinal rectal suppositories be used on Yom Kippur? | Addresses rectal administration of medication during the fast. |
Serious illness
Critical Illness, End-of-Life Care, and Life-Sustaining Treatment
| Topic | Citation | Question | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dangerous surgery | Y.D. II:58 | May dangerous surgery be undertaken in a critically ill patient? | Addresses accepting significant treatment risk in a critically ill patient. |
| Dangerous surgery to prolong life | Y.D. III:36 | May dangerous surgery be undertaken to add years of life? | Addresses treatment risk when surgery may provide meaningful additional survival. |
| Care of the critically ill | C.M. II:73 | How should physicians approach the care of critically and terminally ill patients? | A seminal responsum addressing life prolongation, suffering, triage, the goses, treatment refusal, autopsy, abortion, and palliative surgery. |
| Terminal illness and patient wishes | C.M. II:74 | When should life-prolonging treatment be given or withheld, and who decides? | Addresses suffering, life prolongation, patient autonomy, nutrition, prayer, risky treatment, and refusal of surgery. |
| Chayei sha’ah and medical triage | C.M. II:75 | How should short-term survival affect treatment and triage decisions? | Defines chayei sha’ah and addresses triage, risky treatment, supportive care, and care of a goses. |
Death and the body
Death, Autopsy, Organ Donation, and Transplantation
| Topic | Citation | Question | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organ transplantation | Y.D. I:229 | May transplantation occur between Jewish and non-Jewish donors and recipients? | Addresses organ transplantation from Jew to non-Jew and vice versa. |
| Kohen as organ recipient | Y.D. I:230 | May a kohen receive an organ from a deceased donor? | Addresses transplantation involving a kohen recipient. |
| Burial of organs | Y.D. I:231 | Must removed human organs be buried? | Addresses burial obligations for human organs. |
| Research on human organs | Y.D. I:232 | May organs removed from living patients be used experimentally? | Addresses medical experimentation involving removed human organs. |
| Signs of death | Y.D. II:146 | How is death determined halachically? | Addresses signs used to establish death. |
| Burial of organs | Y.D. II:150 | Do removed human organs require burial? | Further addresses burial requirements for human organs. |
| Anatomical dissection | Y.D. II:151 | May a human body be dissected for medical education? | Addresses anatomical dissection in medical study. |
| Heart transplantation | Y.D. II:174 | May heart transplantation be performed? | Addresses heart transplantation and determination of donor death. |
| Determination of death | Y.D. III:132 | How is death established, particularly in a mechanically ventilated patient? | Addresses determination of death and the significance of absent spontaneous respiration. |
| Organs for medical research | Y.D. III:140 | May removed human organs be used for medical research? | Addresses medical research involving human organs. |
| Burial after surgery | Y.D. III:141 | Must organs removed during surgery be buried? | Addresses burial of surgically removed organs. |
| Heart transplantation | C.M. II:72 | May heart transplantation be performed? | A 1978 responsum reaffirming Rav Moshe’s opposition given concerns regarding donor death and recipient outcomes at the time. |
Ritual status
Kohanim and Medicine
| Topic | Citation | Question | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kohen working in a hospital | Y.D. I:248 | May a kohen accept employment in a hospital? | Addresses tum’at kohanim in the hospital environment. |
| Kohen receiving an organ | Y.D. I:230 | May a kohen receive an organ from a corpse? | Considers transplantation in relation to tum’at kohanim. |
| Kohen on airplane carrying corpse | Y.D. II:164 | May a kohen fly on an airplane transporting a corpse? | Addresses tum’at ohel in air travel. |
| Autopsy of a kohen | Y.D. II:165 | What are the implications of an autopsy performed on a kohen? | Addresses autopsy and the laws governing kohanim and the dead. |
| Kohen visiting hospital | Y.D. II:166 | May a kohen visit a sick patient in a hospital? | Addresses hospital visitation and possible exposure to tumah. |
| Kohen studying medicine | Y.D. III:155 | May a kohen attend medical school where exposure to corpses is required? | Addresses medical education and tum’at kohanim. |
Genetics and fetal life
Genetics, Prenatal Diagnosis, and Abortion
| Topic | Citation | Question | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tay-Sachs screening | E.H. IV:10 | Should prospective spouses undergo Tay-Sachs carrier screening? | Supports premarital screening while addressing timing and confidentiality. |
| Abortion | C.M. II:69-70 | What is the halachic status of abortion? | Major responsa developing Rav Moshe’s stringent approach to abortion and fetal life. |
| Prenatal diagnosis | C.M. II:71 | May amniocentesis be performed to evaluate fetal health? | Addresses prenatal testing and its relationship to decisions concerning pregnancy. |
| Tay-Sachs and contraception | E.H. I:62 | May contraception be used after children affected by Tay-Sachs disease? | Addresses contraception in families facing severe inherited disease. |
Reproductive medicine
Contraception and Maternal Health
| Citation | Clinical context or topic |
|---|---|
| E.H. I:62 | Contraception for Tay-Sachs disease |
| E.H. I:63 | Diaphragm where pregnancy is dangerous |
| E.H. I:64 | Pregnancy dangerous to the woman |
| E.H. I:65 | Diaphragm after two episodes of postpartum psychosis |
| E.H. I:67 | Marriage where the woman should not become pregnant |
| E.H. II:17 | Oral contraceptive pills |
| E.H. III:15 | Male contraception |
| E.H. III:21 | IUD where pregnancy would be dangerous |
| E.H. III:22 | Pregnancy contraindicated |
| E.H. III:24 | Oral contraceptive pills |
| E.H. IV:32:3 | Rhythm method of contraception |
| E.H. IV:62:2 | Contraception following cesarean section |
| E.H. IV:67 | Diaphragm where pregnancy would be dangerous |
| E.H. IV:68 | Diaphragm to prevent child abuse |
| E.H. IV:69 | Diaphragm because of fear of depression |
| E.H. IV:70 | Diaphragm when husband refuses other methods |
| E.H. IV:71 | Marriage on condition of not having children |
| E.H. IV:72 | Contraceptive pills |
| E.H. IV:73:1 | Contraception to enable a woman to care for a sick child |
| E.H. IV:73:2 | Marriage to a barren woman to avoid the birth of abnormal children |
| E.H. IV:74:1 | Diaphragm for contraception |
| E.H. IV:74:2 | Oral contraceptive pills |
| E.H. IV:74:3 | Woman with a nervous disorder who fears pregnancy |
| E.H. IV:74:4 | Woman ill from a previous pregnancy |
Reproductive surgery
Sterilization and Reproductive Surgery
| Citation | Topic |
|---|---|
| E.H. I:12 | Surgery for cryptorchidism and possible castration |
| E.H. I:13 | Sterilization of a woman |
| O.C. II:88 | Sterilization of a psychotic girl |
| E.H. III:12 | Sterilization of a woman because of pain |
| E.H. III:13 | Sterilization to avoid birth of abnormal children |
| E.H. IV:28-29 | Prostate surgery |
| E.H. IV:30-31 | Vasectomy |
| E.H. IV:32:1 | Reversible sterilization of a woman |
| E.H. IV:33 | Sterilization following several cesarean sections |
| E.H. IV:34 | Sterilization where pregnancy would be dangerous |
| E.H. IV:35 | Sterilization following birth of a child with serious abnormalities |
| E.H. IV:36 | Sterilization because a woman fears pregnancy |
Fertility
Infertility, Artificial Insemination, and Fertility Testing
| Citation | Topic |
|---|---|
| E.H. I:10 | Artificial insemination using donor sperm |
| E.H. I:70 | Semen analysis for fertility testing |
| E.H. I:71 | Artificial insemination |
| E.H. I:79 | Male impotence |
| E.H. II:3 | Testicular biopsy for fertility testing |
| E.H. II:16 | Semen analysis for fertility testing |
| E.H. II:18 | Artificial insemination during the niddah period |
| Y.D. II:84 | Shortening niddah to allow conception |
| E.H. III:14 | Semen procurement for fertility testing |
| Y.D. III:54 | Artificial insemination |
| E.H. IV:27 | Semen analysis for fertility testing |
| E.H. IV:32:5 | Artificial insemination using donor or husband’s sperm |
Women’s health
Pregnancy, Labor, Gynecology, and Niddah
| Topic | Citation | Question | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelvic examination | Y.D. I:83, 87 | What are the niddah implications of a pelvic examination? | Addresses pelvic examinations in relation to the laws of niddah. |
| Chest pain and menstruation | Y.D. I:84 | Can chest pain constitute a symptom of menses? | Addresses chest pain as a symptom of menses. |
| Medication-induced menses | Y.D. II:69 | How is menstruation induced by medication treated halachically? | Addresses the niddah implications of medication-induced menstruation. |
| Induced labor and repeat cesarean section | Y.D. II:74 | What are the halachic considerations in induced labor and repeat cesarean delivery? | Addresses induced labor and repeat cesarean section. |
| False labor | Y.D. II:76 | Does false labor affect niddah status? | Addresses false labor and niddah. |
| Bleeding during pregnancy | Y.D. III:56:2-3 | How is bleeding during pregnancy treated halachically? | Addresses bleeding during pregnancy. |
| Induced labor | O.C. IV:105:6 | May labor be medically induced? | Addresses induced labor. |
| Male gynecologist | E.H. IV:65:1 | May a woman undergo gynecological examination by a male physician? | Addresses gynecological examination by a male physician. |
Behavioral health
Psychiatry and Mental Health
| Topic | Citation | Question | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric patient and shofar | O.C. I:172 | How should shofar be handled for a psychotic patient? | Addresses blowing shofar for a psychotic patient. |
| Sterilization of psychiatric patient | O.C. II:88 | May a psychotic girl be sterilized? | Addresses sterilization of a psychotic girl. |
| Psychiatric treatment | Y.D. II:57 | May psychiatric patients receive treatment from non-Jews? | Addresses treatment of psychiatric patients by non-Jewish clinicians. |
| Hypnosis | Y.D. III:44 | May hypnosis be used in medicine? | Addresses hypnosis in medicine. |
| Postpartum psychosis | E.H. I:65 | May a diaphragm be used after two postpartum psychoses? | Addresses contraception following recurrent postpartum psychosis. |
| Fear of depression | E.H. IV:69 | May a diaphragm be used because of fear of depression? | Addresses fear of depression as an indication for contraception. |
| Nervous disorder and pregnancy | E.H. IV:74:3 | May contraception be used by a woman with a nervous disorder who fears pregnancy? | Addresses contraception in a woman with a nervous disorder. |
Health behavior
Smoking, Substance Use, and Health Risk
| Topic | Citation | Question | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cigarette smoking | Y.D. II:49 | What is the halachic status of cigarette smoking? | Addresses smoking and health risk. |
| Marijuana | Y.D. III:35 | May marijuana be used recreationally? | Prohibits marijuana use and discusses its physical and behavioral consequences. |
| Passive smoking | C.M. II:18 | May a smoker expose other people to cigarette smoke? | Addresses unwanted exposure of others to cigarette smoke. |
| Cigarette smoking | C.M. II:76 | What is the halachic status of cigarette smoking? | Further addresses cigarette smoking and health concerns. |
Procedural questions
Circumcision and Medical Risk
| Citation | Topic |
|---|---|
| Y.D. I:154 | Hemophilia and circumcision |
| Y.D. II:119 | Use of clamps for circumcision |
| Y.D. III:99 | Instruments or clamps used for circumcision |
Oral health
Dentistry and Oral Health
| Citation | Topic |
|---|---|
| Y.D. I:97 | Temporary dental fillings and tevilah |
| Y.D. II:87 | Stitches in the mouth and tevilah |
| Y.D. II:88 | Plastic teeth and tevilah |
| O.C. III:78 | Dental treatment on Chol HaMoed |
Care of the sick
Bikkur Cholim, Prayer, and Care of the Sick
| Citation | Topic | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| O.C. I:105 | Prayer for a sick patient | Addresses prayer for a seriously ill patient. |
| Y.D. I:222 | Visiting the sick: a greater person visiting a lesser one | Addresses the personal obligation to visit the sick, including a prominent person visiting a simple one. |
| Y.D. I:223 | Visiting the sick by telephone | Addresses what aspects of bikkur cholim may be fulfilled by telephone. |
| Y.D. II:166 | Kohen visiting the sick in a hospital | Addresses bikkur cholim where a kohen may encounter ritual impurity. |
Additional topics
Other Medical and Health-Related Responsa
| Citation | Topic |
|---|---|
| Y.D. I:82 | Pills to restore hair |
| Y.D. I:145 | One’s own life taking precedence over another’s |
| C.M. I:39 | Kiddush for a patient on Yom Kippur |
| C.M. I:103 | Blood donation for compensation |
| C.M. I:104 | Sport as a livelihood where there is danger of injury |
| E.H. I:66 | Hysterectomy and marital relations |
| E.H. I:162 | Sterile man and chalitzah |
| C.M. II:65 | Dieting for appearance |
| C.M. II:66 | Cosmetic surgery |
| C.M. II:68 | The death penalty |
Sources and scholarship
Further Reading
Fred Rosner, M.D., “Medical Responsa in Igrot Moshe”
Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists. Rosner’s concise bibliography catalogs medical responsa according to their original volumes and sections, complementing the clinical organization of this archive.
View or download Rosner’s complete index →Fred Rosner, “Rabbi Moshe Feinstein’s Influence on Medical Halacha”
Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society 20 (Fall 1990): 47-75. A survey of Rav Moshe’s medical responsa across major clinical and halachic subjects.
Read the article on YU Torah ↗Rabbi Moshe D. Tendler, Responsa of Rav Moshe Feinstein: Care of the Critically Ill
A translation and analysis of responsa concerning critical illness, quality and sanctity of life, treatment of the dying, and determination of death.
Read on Sefaria ↗Alan Jotkowitz, “The Seminal Contribution of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein to the Development of Modern Jewish Medical Ethics”
Journal of Religious Ethics 42, no. 2 (2014): 285-309. Examines Rav Moshe’s contribution to patient decision-making, palliative care, reproductive technology, transplantation, triage, and fetal life.
Read through Wiley Online Library ↗Alan Jotkowitz, “R. Moshe Feinstein and the Role of Autonomy in Medical Ethics Decision Making”
Modern Judaism 30, no. 2 (2010): 196-208. Focuses on the patient’s role in medical decision-making, including treatment choices, triage, and organ donation.
Read through Oxford Academic ↗About this collection
About the JME Medical Halacha Archives
The JME Medical Halacha Archives make major sources of Jewish medical ethics easier to discover, study, and navigate. Each archive organizes the medical writings of an important halachic authority by clinical topic, providing primary-source citations, concise descriptions, and resources for further study.
These guides are intended for physicians, rabbis, researchers, students, and others seeking an entry point into the primary literature of medical halacha. They do not replace study of the original responsa or individualized halachic guidance.
This page is the first entry in the series. Planned entries will explore the medical responsa of Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer), Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and other major authorities who shaped contemporary Jewish medical ethics.