Jewish Law Pikuach Nefesh Quiz

Pikuach Nefesh

Saving a Soul

Deuteronomy 30:19

Choosing life which is a blessing instead of choosing death which is a curse.

Deuteronomy 30:20

Follow God and his commandments, following God = choosing the blessing (life). If u choose life u gotta follow gods laws

Leviticus 19:16

Do not gossip (lashon harah)

kill a piece of them

good or bad saying smth good abt sm else can make sm else feel bad

Don’t be a bystander

Connection between Lev 19:16 and Deut 30:19-20

Both talk about saving lives, either yours (Deuteronomy) or someone else's (Leviticus)

1st Moral Principle: Consequential Reasoning

End result is what matters; the consequence of your action is most important.

Ex. Cheating on a test to get a good grade.

2nd Moral Principle: Categorial Reasoning

Actual action > result, The quality of the act itself. Based on being morally correct.

Ex. Not cheating on a test because it’s morally wrong.

Mishnah Brachot 5:1

1st Part: Full focus

2nd Part: Meditate so you can calm down

3rd Part: Prayer > your own life. You should be so focused that you wouldn't notice a snake (natural) or a king (human). But goes against Pikuach Nefesh.

Talmud, Brachot 32b and 33a: (Response)

Part 1: Stop praying for a non-Jewish king,
Part 2: Stop prayer if the snake is hostile, but not for a non-hostile snake as if won’t kill you
Shows life > prayer (Pikuach Nefesh)

Talmud Sanhedrin 37a

Kill = destroy their world, Save = save their world
World: Future potential, future generations, and all the people connected to them (friends, family, etc.)

Talmud, Baba Metzia 62a

Your life takes precedence over your friends
Pen Petura: Both die,

Rabbi Akiva: Your brother will live with you; you should save yourself rather than your friend