Key moral principles 鈥 Pikuach Nefesh and the sanctity of life
Jews believe that all life is special and belongs to God. While recognising that all life forms are God鈥檚 creation and are to be valued and treated with care and respect, Jews believe that human life has a special status. This is often referred to as the sanctity of lifeThe concept that life is sacred and therefore is to be respected and protected..
Why is human life so special?
Jews believe that human life is holy and belongs to God. Humans are the highpoint of God鈥檚 creation. The Book of Genesis says that God did not simply will lots of humans into being, as he did with other animals. Instead, he formed the first humans individually himself, breathed life into them and created them in his own image and likeness:
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
There are also 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 has a plan for them before they are even born. For example:
When I had not yet formed you in the womb, I knew you.
Psalm 139 speaks of how God creates and knows each person individually. The psalm also praises God for his wondrous works (Psalm 139:13鈥15).
From all of this, Jews see human life as having a special, holy status, meaning that only God can give life and only he can take it away.
As God is the creator of all life, many Jews believe that only he should say when life begins and ends. Therefore, Jews believe they should do all they can to preserve life, to care for the sick and to keep people safe.
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 mitzvotCommandments or laws in Judaism.. It is the belief that the sanctity of life should be the main guiding factor in moral decisions.
Pikuach Nefesh is an obligation for all Jews. In the TorahLaw; teaching. The word Torah can be used in a narrow sense to mean the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (The Five Books of Moses) and also in a wider sense to include the whole of the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud., Jews are commanded: Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour鈥檚 life (Leviticus 19:16). This demonstrates that it is not acceptable to merely avoid violent actions. Instead, humans have a duty of care to ensure the safety and wellbeing of fellow human beings.
A duty for all Jews
Because of Pikuach Nefesh, every Jewish person has a duty to save a person鈥檚 life if they can, even if doing so means that another mitzvahThe singular form of the word 鈥榤itzvot鈥 (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鈥檚 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 the sanctity of life means that no actions should be taken to speed up a person鈥檚 natural death. Any act of euthanasiaThe deliberate ending of someone鈥檚 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鈥檛 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鈥檚 life. Additionally, whereas Orthodox JewsJews who live by the Torah and rabbinic law (halakhah) and who only accept changes that can be supported by the Torah. do not allow autopsyAlso known as a post-mortem, it is a scientific examination of a body to determine the cause of death., Reform JewsJews who have adapted their laws and practices as modern life has changed. believe that an autopsy 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 all Jews believe they have a duty to do?
Save a person鈥檚 life whenever they can.