Life on Earth: pikuach nefesh
pikuach nefeshThe saving of a life, which overrides almost any other religious consideration. is the concept that saving a human life is more important than any mitzvahThe singular form of the word ‘mitzvot’ (commandments or laws in Judaism).. It is the belief that the sanctity of lifeThe concept that life is sacred and therefore is to be respected and protected. should be the most important consideration when making moral decisions.
Why is human life so special?
Jews believe that human life is holy and belongs to God. According to Jewish teaching, human beings are the highpoint of God’s creation. The Book of GenesisThe first book of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) describing the origins of humanity and humans’ relationship with God. says that God did not simply will humans into being, but that he made them himself, breathed life into them and created them in his own image and likeness.
There are many passages in the TanakhThe collected 24 books of the Jewish Bible. There are three sections: Torah, Nevi'im and Ketuvim (TaNaKh). May also be spelled Tenakh. which suggest that God knows each person and had made a plan for them before they were even born:
When I had not yet formed you in the womb, I knew you, and when you had not yet emerged from the womb, I had appointed you; a prophet to the nations I made you.
Psalm 139 speaks of how God creates and knows each person individually, and praises God’s ‘wondrous’ works: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb … My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. (Psalm 139: 13-15).
Using this as evidence, Jews see human life as having a special, holy status, meaning that only God can give life and only he can take it.
A duty for all Jews
Because of pikuach nefesh, every Jewish person has a duty to save a person’s life if they can, even if doing so means that another mitzvahThe singular form of the word ‘mitzvot’ (commandments or laws in Judaism). will be broken. For example, a doctor can break the SabbathThe seventh day of the week and a day of rest for Jews (Shabbat is Friday sunset to Saturday sunset). Sunday is the day of rest for Christians. to save a person’s life, and food that is not kosherThe word means fit or proper. Foods permitted by and prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary laws. can be eaten in order to survive.
This idea of sanctity of life means that no actions should be taken to speed up a person’s natural death. Any act of euthanasiaThe deliberate ending of someone’s life for compassionate reasons. or murder is not allowed. This is made clear in the SanhedrinThe Jewish supreme court and legislative body during the Roman period. Also the name given to a section of the Talmud.:
He who destroys one soul of a human being, the scripture considers him as if he should destroy a whole world.
Jews believe that they have a duty to make the most of the gift of human life. A person doesn’t have to be dying for a Jew to try to save them - this can be a preventative act. organ donationThe surgical process of transferring organs or tissue from one person to another. is allowed as it could save someone’s life. Additionally, Reform JewsJews who have adapted their laws and practices as modern life has changed. believe that an autopsyAlso known as a post-mortem, it is a scientific examination of a body to determine the cause of death. can be carried out if the knowledge gained as a result will save lives in the future.
Many Jews aim to have a career where they can help in the saving of life, whether it be human or animal. Careers such as health worker, aid worker, and police or fire officer all help towards pikuach nefesh. This concept highlights the importance of human life, which it places above Jewish law.
Question
What do Jews believe they have a duty to do?
Save a person’s life whenever they can.
