texasmommy

thanks! i'll check those out!!!

I am thinking of applying to a local hospice center as a CNA. Could someone describe for me the typical work of a CNA in a hospice home? Or experiences they have had as a CNA there? Thanks!

:idea:Any suggestions for a moderately-math-challenged nursing prereq student? I am going to be taking chem soon and I'm very nervous about it... Are there any practice books etc that you have heard of or anything beneficial to someone taking the prereq's I will be (microbiology, psychology, chemistry and A&P) that might give me an edge when classes start? Thanks!

Just FYI - women don't have to sleep in a separate room when they are niddah (bleeding/waiting for mikvah night).

Definitely! :)

Oops! Sorry I misunderstood you!

An Orthodox Jewish conversion requires immersion in a mikvah - a ritual bath. The mikvah itself can resemble a hot tub (at least that's what I think they look like!), the water is heated and chlorinated, and in many cases, mikvahs are very beautiful. They are used not only for conversions but also for women to immerse in monthly at the conclusion of their menses and also for men to purify themselves spiritually before davening (praying). The water is a certain percentage of collected rainwater, with the rest of the water being "regular" tap water.

The issue wasn't that they were Black people, of that I am sure. There are many, many Black Jews in America, Israel and around the world. I can't recall the details but there was another side to the story with the Ethiopians.

Judaism is considered an ethnic group as well as a religion indeed.

hi agnus, that instance would not be requiring my husband to work. in the sense of shabbos observance, only certain things are considered work - they are called melachos, and they are the applications of 39 biblical prohibitions. for more information, please see this article: www.askmoses.com/article.html?o=122.

This particular question would have to be posed to a competant Orthodox rabbi. I spent two Shabboses in the hospital when I gave birth to my daughter and my younger son, and I had my husband stay with me and notify the nurses' station personally so I wouldn't have to use the call system. As far as a PCA pump, it really depends on the situation. Check out www.askmoses.com for live 24/6 chat with orthodox rabbis - they can definitely give you plenty of insight! :) Hope that was helpful!

that's a very common misconception - many people assume the prohibition against pork, for example, had to do with avoiding [color=#0000cc]trichinosis. the laws of kashrus are more spiritual than physical. they too, are complex and observed at a multitude of levels with varying interpretations.

A couple of people asked specific questions; I will hopefully answer those tonight or tomorrow morning! :)

You're welcome!:welcome:

Glad to know that we are on good terms! If there were absolutely NO other nurses who could do what I was able to do, then of course, I would be allowed to work in order to save lives. But in our society, as I said before, there are plenty of qualified professionals (even though there is a nursing shortage) who could offer the same services and probably would not mind working on a Saturday. As a side note, in Judaism, our religious leaders do not make the rules, per se. Our rabbis interpret the laws and are able to make halachic (legal) decisions based on specific circumstances. Halacha (Jewish Law) itself is firmly based in the Torah.

One is most certainly allowed to care for sick family members, etc on Shabbos. There are different ways that we do things (for example, applying ointments with the opposite hand or in a different manner to differentiate the ways we do things on Shabbos from the way we do them on weekdays), and also situations in which we must enlist the help of a non-Jewish person who is not observing the laws of the Sabbath. Working in a hospital situation is far different than caring for a sick child at home (which is an obligation). On Shabbos, religious Jews are not permitted to earn money, which would negate working altogether. The prohibition against working does not include certain things such as caring for the sick in many capacities. However, there are limits, and there are many stringencies. Each individual case must be properly evaluated and remedied accordingly.

Well-put, Natania. I respect the religious customs of others, and acknowledge that even though they cannot necessarily be compared/equated/whatever in terms of days to work and not work and what can and cannot be done, etc, they are precious to the person who holds them. As a religious Jewess, my faith and observance makes me who I am - modest, respectful and kind. I am sure that that is the way people of other faiths feel about their religions, and I am behind them 150%. It's all about helping others and respecting their lifestyles.

Agnus, Thanks for your interest. In our American society in which less than one-half of one percent of citizens are Jewish, and dramatically less are strictly observant, the likelihood of no one else being available for work or to care for ill people is extremely minute. Of course, if ANYONE'S life was G-d forbid in danger, a Jewish person is obligated to do what he or she can to save it, regardless of the day. Our rules regarding Shabbos observance are strict and many, but they shape everything about our faith. There are countless Orthodox Jews who function in myriad capacities in our society and manage to make schedules work with their Jewish and non-Jewish co-workers. As I mentioned before, I am glad to fill in for my non-Jewish friends and co-workers when they have holidays or Sundays to celebrate. As a friend and contributing member of the workforce, of course I expect others to do the same for me. Orthodox Judaism bears little similarity to (lehavdil) Seventh-Day Adventist religion's observance of their Sabbath. Please do not attempt to justify their work on Saturdays with what Orthodox Jews observe. If you have further questions, feel free to contact a Chabad rabbi, they are always more than happy to answer these types of inquiries.

In our day, turning on a light is a violation of the prohibition against kindling a fire on Shabbos.

No worries. Frum or otherwise, we all have these little issues to deal with. Am Yisroel Lev Echod. Thanks for your understanding!

It's so good to hear that other frum people have "made it work!"

The situations that would allow an Orthodox Jew to violate the laws of the Sabbath are really very few, and as a rule, we must consult with a Rov (a rabbi who can make decisions based on the parameters of Jewish law) for any of those. Potok's books are very interesting, but not necessarily an accurate representation of religious Jewish life. Only if deemed absolutely, completely necessary (to save a life, etc, if that particular person was the only one available who could do so) may the Sabbath be violated. It is a very important decision that can only be decided for the observant Jew by a competent Rov.

Birdgardner, please feel free to PM me at any time to ask any questions you might have about caring for Orthodox pts. I'd be more than happy to share our customs and things that would be useful to a caregiver!

I'm not sure what goes on in Israeli hospitals, but as another poster said, the majority of Israeli Jews are not strictly observant. Also, there are many Christians and people of other religions living in the country. My point in making this topic wasn't to start any kind of debate or get people "fired up." I really hope I haven't made a mess of things...

thanks so much for your helpful comments! i really haven't explored this area of halacha, but i'm sure heterim exist for certain situations. generally speaking, people are very understanding of the obligations my family has as observant jews, which i am very grateful for. in return, i have always been more than happy to work during the religious holidays of co-workers.