Question: I would like some info on how a female nurse would care for a Jewish male patient in a hospital or nursing home. Is a female nurse allowed to touch a Jewish male in anyway? And vise versa? Any help would be appreciated.

Answer: A very religious Jew would not be comfortable with a nurse or orderly of the opposite gender bathing them but would probably not object to being touched in a routine manner such as while taking blood or blood pressure or checking on sutures. If the sutures are in the genital area that would also be a cause for embarrassment. Strictly speaking such touching would be acceptable since there is no attempt to cause pleasure but, especially at a time when a patient is concentrating on getting well, it is better not to cause unnecessary distress.

Modesty is an issue for religious Jews and efforts should be made to protect their privacy when it is necessary to change dressings or clothing or to assist them in the bathroom. In such cases it would be preferred to have the assistance offered by a nurse or orderly of the same gender as the patient. Of course, when a hospital is short staffed such accommodations to the patient’s religious sensitivities might not always be possible and this should be explained to the patient.

Best Regards,
Rabbi Azriel Schreiber