yoreh deahfeatured in 2 works

Brain Death and Halachic Death

A 20th-century halachic issue. Classical sources discuss only the underlying principles; the canonical contemporary responsa (Igrot Moshe, Tzitz Eliezer, Yabia Omer, Minchat Shlomo) are not yet ingested in full.

The modern halachic debate over whether brain-stem death constitutes death for halachic purposes (with implications for organ donation, ventilator removal, time of death rulings). Major positions: R. Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Yoreh De'ah 2:174, 3:132) generally accepts brain-stem death; the Rabbinical Council of America accepted it 1991; the Chazon Ish, Rav Elyashiv, Rav Auerbach, and most Charedi poskim reject it, requiring cardiac arrest. The Tzitz Eliezer wrote extensively on both sides.