Q&A: Desecrating the Sabbath to Save a Life
Desecrating the Sabbath to Save a Life
Question
Is it permitted, and required, to desecrate the Sabbath in order to save a non-Jew (respectable, according to the Meiri), even without the consideration of “what will people say”?
What about desecrating the Sabbath for an atheist Jew? After all, the reasoning of “desecrate one Sabbath for him so that he may keep many Sabbaths” does not seem applicable, and the second reasoning of “and live by them” may perhaps also not be relevant with respect to atheists.
Should the above discussion change when we are dealing with a governmental decision rather than a private one, aside from the consideration of what people will say and desecration of God’s name?
Answer
Absolutely. The Meiri himself writes this in chapter 8 of Yoma.
The halakhic decisors write that one should save him. First, there is the second reason, and it certainly applies to atheists and non-Jews as well. Second, saving him enables him to keep many Sabbaths. If he decides not to make use of that, that is his problem. And third, I explained here in the past that the reason of “desecrate one Sabbath for him” does not stand on its own. It joins with the value of life, and together they override Sabbath desecration. But it is possible that the value of life alone is also enough.