Q. Kvod Horav Shlit’a. As far as I remember you were the first to address the question of electronic brain implants that connect directly to the brain and permit someone to see and read, and if that type of eyesight would have any Halacha value, for permitting someone to recite the customary brachot that depend on seeing, like the blessing on the moon or reading the Torah etc. As the above conditions seem now imminent, has there been any change or development in the Haalacha approach?
A. Indeed, on question 3545 (May 26, 2022) we addressed the Halacha issues of Bionic eyes, as follows:
“Q. Dear Rabbi, I think it is likely that this is the first time this question is being asked. We live in a changing world. Totally deaf people can now hear using Cochlear implants. Born blind or people missing eyes, can now see at least partially for the first time.
There are two devices out there, the Argus II and the Orion. The Argus II is a retinal implant, but this implant can only work with patients who have retinal diseases. The Orion is an implant in the visual cortex of your brain.
A new implant for blind people connects directly into the brain successfully bypassing the eyes and allows rudimentary vision. (aarp.org).
Even brain waves are used already by paraplegics to move wheel chairs. No doubt in the not so far future we will be able to communicate with others using just those brain waves. Today we are able to zoom and participate in a shiur with others, in the future we likely be able to share not only sights and sound, but taste and smell too.
My question is, will one have to recite a bracha on those flavors, smells and tastes he experiences. And if they bring joy to us, will they be considered similar to a Seuda that if done on Chol Hamoed complies with the mitzvah of Simchas Yom Tov or any other expression of Simcha?
To what we answered:
“In regard to Cochlear implants on question 3306 we wrote that Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one does not comply with the mitzvah of listening to the Shofar or listening to the Megila, while using them.
Horav Dovid Pam Shlit”a maintains that in our case of artificial vision by implants or similar, one would likely not have to recite a Brocho when experiencing any vision, similar to the taste of food, since after all it is only in one’s mind.
As far a Simchas Yom Tov is concerned, since our Sages specify that it has to be created with real meat or wine, one would also not comply. However, for just being in joy such as Marbim Besimcha in Adar, it is possible that one may indeed comply. (see next question).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
Important Numbers
