Q&A: Saving a Life
Saving a Life
Question
If there is a person in a life-threatening situation and someone else is already taking care of it, but it is difficult for him and he asks for help, is it permitted under the rule that saving a life overrides prohibitions to help him? Or, as long as he has not yet left the person who needs treatment, does the rule of saving a life not apply to another person?
Answer
You need to describe a more concrete situation. I have to note that I smell yet another foolish argument regarding the enlistment of Haredim.
Discussion on Answer
Since I have experience with the foolish arguments the Haredim raise to justify their draft-dodging, it was not all that hard.
I do not intend to answer before you yourself think about it and answer yourself.
Eliran, it is hard for me to keep the Sabbath. Can I fulfill my obligation through your Sabbath observance?
M,
That is not the same thing, because the Sabbath is not a commandment of the entire public.
I didn’t understand—so what is the correct answer in the end?
Here is the continuation of the question:
… You understood my intention (the enlistment of Haredim; I am wondering whether I was too obvious or whether you just have a very good grasp of nuances, and I won’t go into it here). Regarding the question of saving a life, I would be glad if you would answer me in the context of Haredi enlistment: if in the end others are doing the job, have we, under the rule of saving a life, fulfilled our obligation, or perhaps it is even forbidden to enlist because there is spiritual decline involved? Or perhaps not. (I would be glad if you would answer only on the issue of saving a life, without connection to the other issues in the enlistment topic.) Thank you in advance.