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Question
I am interested in learning about the Jewish people's view of disabilities and its causation. Additionally I was wondering of you could tell me about the family roles and expectations about Jewish children with disabilities.
Answer
The answer is very straightforward. The Rabbis of the Talmudic period created a berakha "Who has fashioned people in various forms" to place the responsibility on God but not a negative connotation. It was not a punishment or anything of the like, on the person or on the family.
Contemporary Judaism sees the disabled as those who have a challenged to overcome and we are bound as a community to be compassionate, understanding and to facilitate their needs wherever. That is why you see many more synagogues with hearing aids of various types, ramps to the bimah, etc.
If you contact the Department of Youth activities for United Synagogue, they have a study booklet available that addresses the subject quite competently.
Best Wishes,
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Foundation
for Family Education (FFFE)
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