It is a well known fact that Judaism values life. Jews believe that the lives of all people are the product of G-d. The rules in Judaism are created to preserve the life of every human being, without regard to race, gender and religion.

The term Pikuach Nefesh, literally means “saving a life”, describes the principle that the preservation of human life overrides virtually any other religious consideration. When the life of a person is in danger, almost any negative commandment of the Torah becomes inapplicable.

The Talmud (B.Yoma 84b) discusses a number of cases as examples in which Biblically mandated laws can be disregarded for the sake of saving a life.

One of the greatest Mitzvoth in Judaism is Shmirat Shabbat(Keeping Sabbath), as mentioned in Exodus 31: 14- “Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy unto you; “…

However, in order to save a person’s life, the laws of the Sabbath are to be broken , especially in the following cases which describes as” life threatening situations”:rescuing a child from the sea, breaking apart a wall that has collapsed on a child, breaking down a door about to close on an infant and extinguishing a fire to save a life . Another case is pregnant women with labor pains.

On Yom Kippur, a sick person is forbidden to fast if it will impair their recovery and health. In other cases , if one is not sure if it’s a life threatening situation, he should follow his heart and do as he feels.

Pikuach Nefesh was used by many Jews during the Holocaust when people were starved to death and had to eat food ritually unfit for eating in order to survive.

Although the Halacha regarding saving lives is very clear, there are three limitations that one should not violated, even when a life is in danger. In these cases, a life must be sacrificed rather than a Halacha be broken.

The cases are:

Idolatry- Judaism strongly prohibits any form of idolatry: not to worship any god other than Hashem The first of the Ten Commandments prohibits is not to make any “graven image”.

Blood shedding – Any act that intentionally causes the death of another person.

Incest- Sexual intercourse between close relatives.

As our Sages of blessed memory have said :”He who saves even one soul ,as if he has saved a whole world”.

” כל המציל נפש אחת כאילו הציל עולם מלא”.

And what do you think about Pikuach Nefesh ?

Post your comments on our Facebook page :http://www.facebook.com/hebrewonline

Main phrases of the Post, Transcription & Translation:

Saving a life – Pikuach Nefesh – פִּקּוּחַ נֶפֶשׁ

Life – Chayim – חַיִּים

Value – Erech –  עֵרֶךְ

Situation – Matzav –  מַצָּב

Danger – Sakana – סַכָּנָה