Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Any Torah observant Sleevers?



Recommended Posts

I am a newbie here. I added this subject to another forum and was directed here. I have been told by others that the Torah is against this surgery. I am scheduled for sleeve surgery 11/16/15. I loved what another person on this site said but thought I would move the subject here. I still struggle as if I'm doing something wrong but know beyond everything that if I don't my quality of life will continue to decrease! Has anyone else struggled like this?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Have you talked to your Rabbi? I'm not jewish but I would think that would be the best place to go to find out exactly the doctrine of your faith on the subject.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe because some may interpret you are mutilating what God created in his image?

But then isn't obesity to some extent?

Maybe ask a Rabbi who is of the Reformed faith. I believe God will judge me on the content of my character not my surgically altered stomach.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a newbie here. I added this subject to another forum and was directed here. I have been told by others that the Torah is against this surgery. I am scheduled for sleeve surgery 11/16/15. I loved what another person on this site said but thought I would move the subject here. I still struggle as if I'm doing something wrong but know beyond everything that if I don't my quality of life will continue to decrease! Has anyone else struggled like this?

Hi I am curious, do you have a rabbi who said that the surgery is against the Torah? I find that strange since I know many orthodox and very observant jews with many forms of bariatric surgery. It would never have occurred to me to discuss this with my rabbi since Judaism clearly supports life and health over any other law. I would be curious to hear what your rabbi said about this since you seemed to feel that it was against the torah.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not my Rabbi, but family members who are leaders in our cummunity. I'm also new to the Torah as well. I'm not Jewish, I'm sure this sounds difficult, it's hard to explain. However those words had me in a very dark place because of my love for Torah.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The Torah has changed my life in so many ways! And because I've learned to honor and respect leaders I took their word. However I have not spoken directly to my Rabbi. When I have tried to have conversations about it, I'm shut down not able to speak because they feel it's against Torah and if they listen to me try to explain all the benefits, they are supporting what Torah is against.

I was also told that I was taking the "easy way" out. I know now that my decision is the right one. I even found a blessing over the internet specifically for this surgery!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi! I've got some resources for you:

http://www.rabbiblock.com/archive/the-mitzvah-of-weight-loss-surgery/

http://www.timesofisrael.com/health-concerns-weigh-heavily-on-jewish-clergy/

https://www.ou.org/jewish_action/03/2015/second-chance/

Now, I'm not a rabbi, but I'm a big ol' Talmud geek. Chief among the arguments for allowing for bariatric surgery is the central precept, "and he shall live by them" (from Leviticus/Vayikra 18:5). Basically, the phrase "shall live by them" is interpreted rabbinically that following the mitzvot should (with one or two possible exceptions) never endanger your life. When there is a choice between living and following a mitzvah, the choice should be for life. That's why it's permissible to break shabbat for life threatening illnesses, or even things that *might* at some point become life threatening. That's why it's not only okay not to fast on Yom Yippur if you're diabetic, it's REQUIRED that you not fast -- that is, you don't get to choose to endanger your health.

So, even with regard to loss of a body part, no reasonable rabbi would say, "Oh, you're going to die of gangrene if they don't amputate your leg? Too bad, you'll just have to die!" And in the same way, if removing part of your stomach would help save your life -- because obesity can be life-threatening -- then there is no halakhic justification for refusing to allow it.

Now, I can say that, but ultimately, you have to live in your community. But one way you *could* try to approach such a thing would be not to make the argument yourself, but to have a doctor say, or write a letter saying, "This patient needs this surgery, it's serious, and her level of obesity is life threatening." Bonus for it being a male doctor.

You could also look at some of those links -- at least one of the rabbis who had the surgery was Orthodox.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×