Chapter 8 · Special topics and pikuach nefesh

Pikuach nefesh in depth - "and live by them"

Lesson 53 of 55 18 min

Pikuach nefesh overrides Shabbat - and the one who hurries is praiseworthy. Learn the sources in Yoma פ״ה ע״ב (85b) and the rule "doubt about life - be lenient".

Lesson goals

01Know the derashah "live by them - not die by them"
02Understand "doubt about life - be lenient"
03Know that hurrying is praiseworthy

The sources

Leviticus 18:5

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת חֻקֹּתַי וְאֶת מִשְׁפָּטַי אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה אֹתָם הָאָדָם וָחַי בָּהֶם

Shmuel in Yoma (פ״ה ע״ב (85b)) expounds: "live by them - and not die by them".

SA (OC 328:2) rules: one who hurries to desecrate Shabbat to save a life is praiseworthy; one who stops to ask is a shedder of blood. Even doubtful danger - one desecrates.

Raya

Proof of the value of speed: halakha prefers that leaders of Israel do it, not non-Jews - so Shabbat never appears as an obstacle to life.

Practice

Post emergency numbers in a visible place at home.

Lesson wrap-up

Shabbat was given for life - one who knows acts without hesitation.

Check your understanding

Test yourself before marking the lesson complete.

Question 1 of 3

What is derived from "and live by them"?

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