Q&A: Suicide in a Way That Is Permitted, and Even a Commandment
Suicide in a Way That Is Permitted, and Even a Commandment
Question
If someone asks another person to threaten him with death if he does not worship idolatry, is he then obligated to give up his life? That is, the one making the request is not sinning at all, since there is no agency for a transgression, and at the moment he is threatened he is fulfilling the law of giving up one’s life. If what I’m saying is correct, then I’ve found a solution for religious people who want to commit suicide….. Or does this violate “do not place a stumbling block”?
Answer
First, the person making the threat violates a prohibition. Second, the medieval authorities (Rishonim) disagreed about the law of someone who places himself into a situation of coercion—whether he is considered coerced or not.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t understand this bizarre pilpul at all. Obviously he should not commit idolatry. But his death would be considered suicide, so he has gained nothing.
With God’s help, 3 Tammuz 5780
In the book Shem HaGedolim it is brought that sages who wrote commentaries on Sefer HaIttur and on Rabbenu Yeruham died young. Therefore, it seems to me that someone who is fed up with his life should begin writing a commentary on Sefer HaIttur or on Rabbenu Yeruham. One may assume that this occupation will certainly give him a renewed interest in life that will free him from his depression 🙂
Best regards, one who desires life
And perhaps, instead of looking for permissions to commit suicide, we should offer the poor fellow “permissions” for joy and emotional vitality in the service of God, so that he will be aware that God loves him, watches over him lovingly, and needs him to bring out the talents hidden within him, for his own good and for the good of society as a whole. Once he feels meaning in his life, he will not despise it.
Best regards, Shatz
Absolutely. It is permitted to lie in order to save a life. 🙂
(Though what you’re saying is not completely false. He probably does love and watch over us—at least passively.)
With God’s help, 4 Tammuz 5780
What I’m saying? It’s what He says: “For the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you; He will not fail you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6)! And we also say in prayer: “You are good, for Your mercies have not ended, and compassionate, for Your kindnesses have not ceased.” If the Holy One, blessed be He, commands a person, that is a clear sign that He believes in him and in his mission.
Best regards, Shatz
How is his killing considered suicide if there is no agency for a transgression? The other person is not his agent even without coercion.
What is a “religious person who commits suicide”?
A religious person is someone who trusts in God, right?
Someone who trusts in God cannot make a decision to commit suicide.
Someone who has made a decision to commit suicide does not trust in God, but in himself and his own decisions.
Rabbi Akiva said, “When will this verse come my way so that I may fulfill it—‘Hear O Israel’ etc….” and he died.
Diogi,
You’ve found a brilliant solution for someone who wants to commit suicide: let someone else murder him. Wow. How did nobody think of this until now?!
I also have a solution for a Jew who wants to desecrate the Sabbath: let him tell his friend to desecrate the Sabbath for him.
Either way: if the other party has free choice, then the prohibition transfers to him. And if not (it’s a machine that kills if one doesn’t worship idolatry), then I’m still committing suicide.
And by the way, there is an opinion among the medieval authorities (Rishonim) that there is a prohibition against inducing someone to sin even without the law of agency. See Yad Ramah on “we do not present claims in defense of an enticer.”
That’s it, I’m done with my part in this hallucination.
Okay, one more comment.
Regarding agency for a transgression when the agent acts unintentionally, is a minor, is presumed to do such things, or is an apostate—there is agency; and even in cases where this is only relevant for legal judgment, there is still punishment at the hands of Heaven. See a short summary here:
http://olamot.net/shiur/%D7%90%D7%99%D7%9F-%D7%A9%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%97-%D7%9C%D7%93%D7%91%D7%A8-%D7%A2%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%94
Perhaps the Rabbi missed the central point in suicide here, namely that the person is giving up his life for his God in order not to worship other gods. The “brilliant solution” is that the person is not merely stopping the suffering of his life in a permitted way, but by doing so he actually merits a very rare and very important commandment.
With Sabbath-shalom wishes full of proper thought.
In any case, thanks for the Torah references.
Whoever wants to commit suicide can fulfill “This is the Torah: when a man dies in a tent”—by devoting himself to Torah study in a pleasurable and joyful way, in the place and manner his heart desires, and the delight found in Torah will restore his joy in life.
Best regards, joy and gladness for life
And if he is not considered coerced? Then should he transgress rather than be killed?