Autopsy-Annie

Questions: 1. Is an autopsy okay to be done if you aren't Jewish? why? 2. What do the rabbis say about having an autopsy done, according to Jewish law? 3. What law in the Torah does it relate to?

Some Jewish scholars ([]) say that having an autopsy done on a Jewish body is not allowed. M utilating a body is making the body impure, which isn't exactly okay. Jewish law says that the body has to be treated with much respect. So is it okay to have an autopsy done on a dead body?

Some other scholars say that preserving/saving a human life is actually considered one of the highest commandments in the Torah, making having an autopsy done on the dead body, would actually be the best idea. If a doctor can find out the reason for that death, in may prevent another unnecessary death of somebody who is alive. It can save them. The auotopsies may be of benefit to the living.

Halacha says that we can't mutilate a body and make it impure. A quote from chabad.org can back this up: " It is believed that since the soul has now arrived to the World of Truth it surely sees the value of a proper Jewish burial, and thus administering a traditional Jewish burial is actually granting what the person truly wishes at the moment. Furthermore, if anyone, all the more so your father and mother, asks you to damage or hurt their body, you are not allowed to do so. For our bodies do not belong to us, they belong to G-d. " A body belongs to God, therefore you may not mutilate it. And the rabbis say that because saving a life is one of the highest commandments in the Torah (you can even break shabbat to do it), an autopsy might be the best thing to do. So it says on []

"In the early 1950s, Israeli law bestowed upon doctors a great deal of leeway when determining the permissibility of performing an autopsy. However, in 1980, many Orthodox communities in Israel were disturbed by the abuse of autopsies being performed." In the 1950's, having an autopsy done was more leniant. But when orthodox communities in Israel were becoming a bit disturbed by having them done. So things became stricter, and having an autopsy done became more difficult.

If a body would benefit from an autopsy done to it, the doctor has to get permission from the family first. And when the body is buried, according to Jewish law, the body must have all parts with it, and be burried within 3 days.

Personal Opinion: I think that having an autopsy should be allowed to be done, if it will save the life of someone else.