Q&A: Sabbath and Saving Life
Sabbath and Saving Life
Question
If I am walking around with a weapon on the Sabbath because of the security situation—even though I’m not on alert duty or anything, just at home and going outside—is it permitted for me to switch the weapon’s sight to day mode, so that if, God forbid, there is a terrorist incident, it will be possible to neutralize him quickly and not waste time switching the sight to day mode? (Switching the sight involves an electrical action.)
Answer
If there is no tangible danger and you are not on duty, then in my opinion it is forbidden. Carrying a weapon is not forbidden for men even without danger (because it is considered an ornament for them), and even if one takes the view that it is forbidden, that is only a rabbinic prohibition of muktzeh. By contrast, activating an electrical mechanism is, in my opinion, a Torah-level prohibition, and it should not be permitted except in the case of a concrete life-threatening danger.
My understanding is that according to most halakhic decisors, electricity is only rabbinically prohibited.
If you do it in an unusual manner, then it becomes two rabbinic prohibitions.
In a situation of even remote doubt involving saving a life, and possible lack of readiness of someone carrying a weapon—certainly in wartime—it seems to me that one should permit it quite readily.
Therefore, to change the sight in an unusual manner.