Venue: Tifereth Israel (Passaic, NJ) Tifereth Israel (Passaic, NJ)

Halacha:

Death and Burial,  Kiddush Hashem 

Collections: R' Aaron Cohen Teshuvos Mi'maamakim

Description

The 6th of Cheshvan, 5702 (October 27, 1941), was but two days prior to the liquidation of the Kovno ghetto. One of the respected members of the community approached Rav Oshry with a heart-rending shaila. He was certain that he and the member of his family would be killed, and the Nazis would likely make him watch as they murdered his family. He would certainly suffer a painful death as well. Would it be permitted for him to take his own life to avoid this physical and emotional suffering?