Situations in which a life is threatened; most (though not all), Jewish laws are suspended in order to save a life.
14
votes
2answers
184 views
Is it a mitzva to escape the death penalty?
If someone is being led to his death by bes din (a Jewish court), is he supposed to try to escape, since, in general, saving one's own life is paramount? More: normally, we say that if someone is out ...
6
votes
3answers
233 views
Saving a Life During Tefillah
If one is in middle of Shemoneh Esrei (which is the only part of Tefillah, I could think of where there might be a problem), and there is a life to be saved, is he/she allowed to interrupt the ...
8
votes
2answers
270 views
Are Jews permitted to martyr themselves?
Are Jews permitted to martyr themselves? For example, if it is a question of converting or being killed, is the Jew permitted to sacrifice himself rather than convert?
Separately: which would be ...
17
votes
1answer
262 views
Setting aside Shabbat to answer the President's call
In an old MSNBC news story about Jack Lew, a Shabbat-observant Jew who was just appointed to be the new White House Chief of Staff, there's a story about his getting a call from President Clinton when ...
2
votes
2answers
255 views
Which actions are prohibited even to save a life?
I know that many commandments, e.g. keeping Shabbat, not lying, etc., must be violated if doing so is necessary to save a life.
For which commandments is this not true? Does it ever matter how many ...
12
votes
3answers
575 views
Is Metzitzah B'peh a must?
There is a lot of talk in the news, etc., about Metzitzah B'peh that employs direct oral contact being dangerous.
First: If it is dangerous, shouldn't pikuach nefesh push it off?
Second: How ...
2
votes
2answers
202 views
Saving a Jew's life on Shabbos if s/he does not observe Shabbos
(This question was inspired by my comment on this question - Are you allowed to save a non-Jew's life on shabbos? (The comment is quoted at the bottom of my question.))
R. Simeon b. Menassia is ...
16
votes
5answers
982 views
Are you allowed to save a non-Jew's life on shabbos?
Is a Jew allowed to violate shabbos to save a non-Jew's life?
13
votes
3answers
360 views
Is Pork, Camel, and the like Fleishig?
If one somehow consumed meat of a non-kosher species such as camel or pork (e.g. life-threatening illness, or by accident), does s/he become Fleishig?
Why or why not?
14
votes
4answers
466 views
Does a Food Mashgiach have to Sacrifice his Life?
Suppose a Mashgiach of a food establishment is threatened to "keep quiet" about some of the questionable behaviors [for purposes of the question, consider both actual non-kosher, and possibly ...
7
votes
1answer
84 views
Is Chayecha Kodmin a Chiyuv or a right
If one is presented with a case of either save himself or his friend, he is permitted to save himself. Does he have to?
I saw this thread which set my mind going, are the usual airplane guidelines ...
5
votes
0answers
95 views
Sharp sword on the throat
The Gemara says Berachot 10a
אפי' חרב חדה מונחת על צוארו של אדם אל ימנע עצמו מן הרחמים
Even if a sharp sword is resting on one's thought he shouldn't hold back from (asking for) mercy."
Why ...
3
votes
2answers
224 views
Shabbat restrictions in the Army
Are there any Shabbat restrictions in the army during basic training? If this is only basic training and not war-time is this still considered pekuach-nefesh?
2
votes
1answer
77 views
Is it permissible to be mechalel Shabbos to save the life of an animal or pet?
Is it permissible to be mechalel Shabbos to save the life of an animal, such as a family pet?
Could minchag, chumras, and/or purely Rabbinical prohibitions be relaxed in such a situation, and to what ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Is it a mitzvah to save someone from execution by Beth Din?
I am wondering how the laws of pikuach nefesh might apply to a situation of mitath beth din. Would bystanders be obliged to save the condemned from his lawful execution? What about members of the beth ...
