Q. My son was born with some unusual very negative conditions. Besides being a kleptomaniac, he has great anger, starts fights and hurts others. His doctor advised a good psychiatrist, and he has been treating him well. He recommends using new medical drugs that are not just calming agents that can turn addictive, but medicine that can change the composition and structure of his brain. Is that permitted in Halacha?

A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you should consult also with other doctors and patients who have undergone such novel treatment. Yet in principle, the brain is similar to other essential organs as the heart and lungs, and when needed, as in common brain surgery. It can be treated and changed.

The Rov also suggested to consult with a Frum psychiatrist and supervise the effects of the treatment and psychiatric counseling involved, in order to maintain the spiritual and Torah values of the child.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a