146 Torah Book & Portion, Book of Genesis, Bereishit (Genesis 1:1-6:8), Source Book Keys, OXFORD GENESIS | 1:27 image — GEN90 Foundational Jewish values… shape Jewish un... GEN90 Foundational Jewish values… shape Jewish understandings regarding the distribution of health care. Among these, the Book of Genesis (1:27) teaches that God created humans in God’s image, betzelem Elohim. The ancient Rabbis and later Jews have treasured this verse as expressing the intrinsic value and dignity of each human being. … The Bible and later Judaism understand this fundamental, divine value of each person and related values to require support to meet the needs of the poor. The Torah mandates practices in the context of a farming community. The corners of one’s fields, gleanings, and forgotten produce are to be left for the poor to take, in addition to a tithe for support of the needy. [Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Deuteronomy 26:12]. Rabbinic Judaism developed the Hebrew Bible’s value of justice (tzedek) and institutions for support of the needy into tzedakah. That which is given to the poor never simply belonged to the giver, but was always God’s, and was owed to the needy as their right. [See citations at 348, ft. 4]. (By Aaron L. Mackler, "Jewish Bioethics: The Distribution of Health Care") OXFORD 345-6 Share Print Source KeyOXFORDVerse1:27Keyword(s)imageSource Page(s)(See end of excerpt) Switch article GENESIS | 1:27 image — GEN119 The challenge that you and I face in our l... Previous Article GENESIS | 1:27 image — GEN92 In today’s society, where people are often ... Next Article