ABSTRACT
Classical Jewish sources mention exceptions to the suicide prohibition, notably in a case like King Saul. Differing religious understandings of the grounds prohibiting suicide yield opposing views on whether this exception should apply to suicide to escape terminal suffering. THERE IS NOT ONE, uniform "Jewish view" on how to cope with terminal suffering. There are, however, some basic premises, fairly pervasive in the Jewish tradition of normative discourse. These include not only views on the value of human life and the prohibition of suicide, but also traditions on dealing with disagreements. The issue of ending life in the face of terminal suffering should be addressed, within the Jewish tradition, against the backdrop of a basic prohibition of suicide, and hence (a fortiori) of voluntary euthanasia. One approach assimilates Saul's self-inflicted death to the model of martyrdom: Saul was afraid of being tortured not only because of the physical suffering, but also and crucially because he would be driven to apostasy.
