Third Session - AIDS - Halachic Questions
Question posed by: Representative from the Audience
Response by: Rabbi Yehoshua Neuwirth,
Author of Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchatah
1. An AIDS carrier refuses to inform his spouse of his situation. Is the doctor permitted - or obligated - to divulge the information to the spouse of the carrier?
2. Is the spouse of an AIDS carrier entitled to demand the dissolution of the marriage and a get (religious divorce)?
Is he/she permitted to remain married and continue marital relations despite the illness?
If the spouse wishes to remain married to the AIDS carrier, is the male permitted - or obligated - to use a condom?
3. Under which circumstances may one compel an individual to be tested for HIV? When do the rights and responsibility of the community supercede those of the individual?