[Avodah] Mevatlin TT lehotzoas hameis

[Moshe Y. Gluck]

R' Josh Backon asked me to post (regarding a recent Areivim thread about
autopsies and demonstrations to prevent them):

On this sugya in Megilla (23b) the RAN paskened "reshut b'alma"; the 
Korban Netanel
on the ROSH in Ketuvot (perek ha'isha shenitarmela) exempts 
someone  she'torato umnato;
as does the ROSH there (exempts a "tani v'kari") [and a ROSH in eilu 
megalchin exempts
a melamed tinokot shel beit raban].

In other words, there is NO justification for a demonstration to 
prevents autopsies.

I have been at a number of autopsies (including forensic)  and only 
tiny samples are taken
for study (and this is muttar: see Iggrot Moshe YD II 151). In rare 
occasions whole organs
are checked but always pl\aced BACK into the body cavity.  There is 
neither nivul ha'met
or issur ha'na'ah. [There is no nivul ha'met if here is a *tzorech* 
[see: Shoel u'Meishiv mahadura
kama Chelek Alef  231; Maharil Diskin YD 31]. And finally there are 
many poskim who rule
that kevurah is only a mitzvat d'rabbanan (see: Rambam Hilchot Avel 
14:1; Chavot Yair  139).

KOL TUV

Josh

KT,
MYG