Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
This chapter focuses on the fundamental halachic principle that saving a human life overrides the restrictions of Shabbos. It establishes that when a person's life is in danger, the laws of Shabbos are suspended, just as other mitzvos are, allowing for any necessary action to be taken for their benefit. The guidelines dictate how to proceed based on medical evaluation and how to handle situations of doubt.
Additionally, the chapter addresses the scope of permitted actions, ranging from lighting or extinguishing lamps to cooking, baking, and slaughtering animals. It also outlines the proper manner in which these violations of Shabbos must be executed, emphasizing who should perform these acts to maintain the proper respect and reverence for the sanctity of Shabbos.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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סַכָּנַת נְפָשׁוֹת דּוֹחָה אֶת הַשַּׁבָּתHalacha 1 · Danger to Human Life Overrides the Laws of Shabbos
דְחוּיָהSuspendedהִיאisשַׁבָּתShabbosאֵצֶלin the presence ofסַכָּנַתdanger toנְפָשׁוֹתlivesכִּשְׁאָרlike the rest ofכָּלallהַמִּצְוֹת.the mitzvosלְפִיכָךְThereforeחוֹלֶהa sick personשֶׁיֵּשׁwho hasבּוֹin himסַכָּנָהdangerעוֹשִׂיןwe performלוֹfor himכָּלallצְרָכָיוhis needsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosעַלaccording toפִּי·רוֹפֵאa physicianאֻמָּןexpertשֶׁלofאוֹתוֹthatמָקוֹם.placeסָפֵקIf there is a doubtשֶׁהוּאthat heצָרִיךְneedsלְחַלֵּלto desecrateעָלָיוfor himאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosסָפֵקor a doubtשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he does notצָרִיךְ.needוְכֵןand so tooאִםifאָמַרsaidרוֹפֵאa physicianלְחַלֵּלto desecrateעָלָיוfor himאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosוְרוֹפֵאand a physicianאַחֵרanotherאוֹמֵרsaysאֵינוֹhe does notצָרִיךְneedמְחַלְּלִיןwe desecrateעָלָיוfor himאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosשֶׁסְּפֵקfor a doubt ofנְפָשׁוֹתlivesדּוֹחֶהoverridesאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּת:the Shabbos
This halacha establishes that the prohibitions of Shabbos are suspended in the face of danger to human life, even in cases of doubt or conflicting medical opinions.
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חִלּוּל שַׁבָּת עֲבוּר חוֹלֶה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ סַכָּנָהHalacha 2 · Violating Shabbos for a Dangerously Ill Person
אֲמָדוּהוּThey assessed himבְּיוֹםon the day ofהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosשֶׁהוּאthat heצָרִיךְneedsלְכָךְsuchוְכָךְand suchלִשְׁמוֹנָהfor eightיָמִיםdaysאֵיןwe do notאוֹמְרִיםsayנַמְתִּיןwe shall waitעַדuntilהָעֶרֶבthe eveningכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאnotלְחַלֵּלto violateעָלָיוon his behalfשְׁתֵּיtwoשַׁבָּתוֹתShabbososאֶלָּאratherמַתְחִילִיןwe beginמֵהַיּוֹםfrom todayשֶׁהוּאwhich isשַׁבָּתShabbosוּמְחַלְּלִיןand we violateעָלָיוon his behalfאֲפִלּוּevenמֵאָהone hundredשַׁבָּתוֹתShabbososכָּלallזְמַןthe timeשֶׁהוּאthat heצָרִיךְneedsוְיֵשׁand there isבּוֹin himסַכָּנָהdangerאוֹorסְפֵקa doubt ofסַכָּנָהdangerמְחַלְּלִין.we violateוּמַדְלִיקִיןand we lightלוֹfor himאֶת—הַנֵּרthe lampוּמְכַבִּיןand we extinguishמִלְּפָנָיוfrom before himאֶת—הַנֵּרthe lampוְשׁוֹחֲטִיןand we slaughterלוֹfor himוְאוֹפִיןand we bakeוּמְבַשְּׁלִיןand we cookוּמְחִמִּיןand we heatלוֹfor himחַמִּיןhot waterבֵּיןwhetherלְהַשְׁקוֹתוֹto give him drinkבֵּיןwhetherלִרְחִיצַתfor washing ofגּוּפוֹ.his bodyכְּלָלוֹthe general ruleשֶׁלofדָּבָרthe matterשַׁבָּתShabbosלְגַבֵּיregardingחוֹלֶהa sick personשֶׁיֵּשׁwho hasבּוֹin himסַכָּנָהdangerהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכְּחלis like a weekdayלְכָלfor allהַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsשֶׁהוּאthat heצָרִיךְneedsלָהֶן:them
This halacha establishes that when a person is dangerously ill, Shabbos is treated like a weekday for all their medical needs, and treatment is begun immediately without delay.
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חִלּוּל שַׁבָּת לְחוֹלֶה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ סַכָּנָה עַל יְדֵי גְּדוֹלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵלHalacha 3 · Desecrating Shabbos for a Dangerously Ill Person by the Leaders of Israel
כְּשֶׁעוֹשִׂיםWhen they doדְּבָרִיםmattersהָאֵלּוּtheseאֵיןnotעוֹשִׂיןdo they doאוֹתָןthemלֹאnotעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofנָכְרִיםnon-Jewsוְלֹאand notעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofקְטַנִּיםminorsוְלֹאand notעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofעֲבָדִיםservantsוְלֹאand notעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofנָשִׁיםwomenכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notתְּהֵאwill beשַׁבָּתShabbosקַלָּהlightבְּעֵינֵיהֶם.in their eyesאֶלָּאbutעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofגְּדוֹלֵיthe leaders ofיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelוְחַכְמֵיהֶם.and their Sagesוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלְהִתְמַהְמֵהַּto hesitateבְּחִלּוּלin desecration ofשַׁבָּתShabbosלְחוֹלֶהfor a sick personשֶׁיֵּשׁwho hasבּוֹin himסַכָּנָהdangerשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראVayikraיח18ה5"אֲשֶׁרwhichיַעֲשֶׂהshall performאוֹתָםthemהָאָדָםthe manוָחַיand liveבָּהֶם"by themוְלֹאand notשֶׁיָּמוּתthat he should dieבָּהֶם.by themהָאbeholdלָמַדְתָּyou have learnedשֶׁאֵיןthat are notמִשְׁפְּטֵיthe laws ofהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahנְקָמָהvengeanceבָּעוֹלָםin the worldאֶלָּאbut ratherרַחֲמִיםmercyוְחֶסֶדand kindnessוְשָׁלוֹםand peaceבָּעוֹלָם.in the worldוְאִלּוּand as forהָאֶפִּיקוֹרוֹסִיםthe hereticsשֶׁאוֹמְרִיםwho sayשֶׁזֶּהthat thisחִלּוּלis desecration ofשַׁבָּתShabbosוְאָסוּרand is forbiddenעֲלֵיהֶןupon themהַכָּתוּבthe verseאוֹמֵרsaysיחזקאלYechezkelכ20כה25"גַּםalsoאֲנִיIנָתַתִּיgaveלָהֶםto themחֻקִּיםstatutesלֹאnotטוֹבִיםgoodוּמִשְׁפָּטִיםand lawsלֹאnotיִחְיוּthey shall liveבָּהֶם":by them
This halacha teaches that saving a life on Shabbos must be done by adult Jewish leaders and Sages rather than non-Jews or minors, to emphasize that the Torah's laws are designed for life and mercy.
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חִלּוּל שַׁבָּת עֲבוּר חוֹלֶה בְּעֵינָיו שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ סַכָּנָהHalacha 4 · Violating Shabbos for a Dangerously Ill Person with an Eye Ailment
הַחוֹשֵׁשׁOne who suffersבְּעֵינָיוin his eyesוְהוּאand that isשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there isבִּשְׁתֵּיהֶםin both of themאוֹorבְּאַחַתin oneמֵהֶםof themצִירsecretionאוֹorשֶׁהָיוּthat there wereדְּמָעוֹתtearsשׁוֹתְתוֹתflowingמֵהֶןfrom themמֵרֹבfrom the abundance ofהַכְּאֵבthe painאוֹorשֶׁהָיָהthat there wasדָּםbloodשׁוֹתֵתflowingמֵהֶןfrom themאוֹorשֶׁהָיָהthat there wasבָּהֶןin themקַדַּחַתfeverוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּחֳלָאִיםto illnessesאֵלּוּtheseהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisבִּכְלַלis in the category ofחוֹלִיםthe sickשֶׁיֵּשׁwho haveבָּהֶןin themסַכָּנָהdangerוּמְחַלְּלִיןand we desecrateעָלָיוfor himאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosוְעוֹשִׂיןand we doלוֹfor himכָּלallצָרְכֵיthe needs ofרְפוּאָה:healing
An eye ailment is considered a life-threatening illness for which one must violate Shabbos to treat.
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מַכָּה בַּחֲלַל הַגּוּף וּפִקּוּחַ נֶפֶשׁ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 5 · Wounds in the Body Cavity and Desecrating Shabbos for Danger
וְכֵןAnd soאִםifיֵשׁthere isמַכָּהa woundבַּחֲלַלin the cavity ofגּוּפוֹhis bodyמִןfromהַשָּׂפָהthe lipוּלְפָנִיםand inwardבֵּיןwhetherבְּפִיוin his mouthבֵּיןwhetherבְּמֵעָיוin his intestinesבֵּיןwhetherבִּכְבֵדוֹin his liverוּטְחוֹלוֹand his spleenאוֹorבִּשְׁאָרin otherמְקוֹמוֹתplacesכָּלanyשֶׁיֵּשׁthat isבַּחֲלָלוֹin his cavityהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisחוֹלֶהis a sick personשֶׁיֵּשׁwho hasבּוֹin himסַכָּנָהdangerוְאֵינוֹand he does notצָרִיךְneedאֹמֶדassessmentשֶׁחָלְיוֹfor his illnessכָּבֵדsevereהוּאisלְפִיכָךְthereforeמְחַלְּלִיןwe desecrateעָלָיוfor himאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתShabbosמִיָּדimmediatelyבְּלֹאwithoutאֲמִידָה.assessmentוּמַכָּהAnd a woundשֶׁהִיאthat isבְּגַבon the back ofהַיָּדthe handוְגַבand the back ofהָרֶגֶלthe footהֲרֵיbeholdהִיאitכְּמַכָּהis like a woundשֶׁלofחָלָלthe cavityוְאֵינָהּand it does notצְרִיכָהneedאֹמֶדassessmentוּמְחַלְּלִיןand we desecrateעָלֶיהָfor itאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּת.ShabbosוְהַחֹםAnd the feverשֶׁמְּסַמֵּרthat makes shudderאֶת—הַבָּשָׂרthe fleshכְּמַכָּהlike a woundשֶׁלofחָלָלthe cavityדָּמִיis consideredוּמְחַלְּלִיןand we desecrateעָלָיוfor himאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתShabbosוְכֵןAnd soכָּלanyחֹלִיillnessשֶׁהָרוֹפְאִיםthat the doctorsאוֹמְרִיןsayשֶׁזֶּהthat thisיֵשׁhasבּוֹin itסַכָּנָהdangerאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאit isבְּעוֹרon the skin ofהַבָּשָׂרthe fleshמִבַּחוּץfrom the outsideמְחַלְּלִיןwe desecrateעָלָיוfor himאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתShabbosעַלaccording toפִּיהֶם:their word
This halacha defines internal wounds, high fevers, and other conditions that are automatically deemed life-threatening, allowing immediate desecration of Shabbos.
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חִלּוּל שַׁבָּת לְהַצָּלַת נֶפֶשׁ מִסַּכָּנַת בְּלִיעַת עֲלוּקָה וּנְשִׁיכַת חַיָּה רָעָהHalacha 6 · Desecrating Shabbos to Save a Life from Swallowing a Leech or Animal Bites
הַבּוֹלֵעַOne who swallowsנִימָהa leechשֶׁלofמַיִםwaterמְחִמִּיןwe heatלוֹfor himחַמִּיןhot waterבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְעוֹשִׂיןand we performלוֹfor himכָּלallצָרְכֵיneeds ofרְפוּאָהhealingמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהִיאthat it isסַכָּנַתdanger ofנְפָשׁוֹת.livesוְכֵןAnd soמִיoneשֶׁנְּשָׁכוֹwhom bit himכֶּלֶבa dogשׁוֹטֶהrabidאוֹorאֶחָדoneמִזּוֹחֲלֵיof the crawlers ofהֶעָפָרthe dustשֶׁמְּמִיתִיןthat killאֲפִלּוּeven ifהָיוּthere wasסָפֵקa doubtמְמִיתִיןthey killסָפֵקa doubtאֵיןthey do notמְמִיתִיןkillעוֹשִׂיןwe performלוֹfor himכָּלallצָרְכֵיneeds ofרְפוּאָהhealingלְהַצִּילוֹ:to save him
This halacha teaches that one must desecrate Shabbos to perform any medical treatment necessary to save a person in life-threatening danger, such as from swallowing a leech or being bitten by a dangerous animal.
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הַצָּלַת חוֹלֶה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ סַכָּנָה עַל יְדֵי רַבִּיםHalacha 7 · Saving a Dangerously Ill Person by Multiple People Simultaneously
חוֹלֶהA sick personשֶׁאֲמָדוּהוּwhom they assessedרוֹפְאִיםphysiciansלְהָבִיאto bringלוֹto himגְּרוֹגֶרֶתa dried figאַחַתoneוְרָצוּand ranעֲשָׂרָהtenבְּנֵיpeopleאָדָם·וְהֵבִיאוּand they broughtלוֹto himעֶשֶׂרtenגְּרוֹגָרוֹתdried figsבְּבַתatאַחַתonceכֻּלָּןall of themפְּטוּרִיןare exemptמִכְּלוּם.from anythingוַאֲפִלּוּand evenהֵבִיאוּif they broughtבָּזֶהthis oneאַחַרafterזֶהthis oneוַאֲפִלּוּand evenהִבְרִיאif he recoveredבָּרִאשׁוֹנָהwith the firstשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdכֻּלָּםall of themבִּרְשׁוּתwith permissionהֵבִיאוּ:brought
This halacha teaches that when multiple people rush to save a life on Shabbos, all are exempt from liability even if only one of their actions was ultimately needed.
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מִעוּט חִלּוּל שַׁבָּת בְּפִקּוּחַ נֶפֶשׁHalacha 8 · Minimizing Shabbos Desecration When Saving a Life
חוֹלֶהA sick personשֶׁהָיָהwho wasצָרִיךְin needלִשְׁתֵּיof twoגְּרוֹגָרוֹתdried figsוְלֹאand notמָצְאוּthey foundאֶלָּאexceptשְׁתֵּיtwoגְּרוֹגָרוֹתdried figsבִּשְׁנֵיon twoעֵקְצִיןstemsוְשָׁלֹשׁand threeגְּרוֹגָרוֹתdried figsבְּעֹקֶץon a stemאֶחָדoneכּוֹרְתִיןthey cutהָעֹקֶץthe stemשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבּוֹin itשָׁלֹשׁthreeאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵיןthat notצְרִיכִיןthey needאֶלָּאexceptלִשְׁתַּיִםtwoכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַרְבּוּthey increaseבִּבְצִירָהin harvestingאֶלָּאbutיִכְרְתוּthey should cutעֹקֶץstemאֶחָדoneוְלֹאand notיִכְרְתוּthey should cutשְׁנַיִם.twoוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
When performing a melacha to save a life, one must minimize the number of forbidden acts performed, such as cutting one stem instead of two.
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בִּשּׁוּל וּשְׁחִיטָה לְחוֹלֶה בְּשַׁבָּת וְהַנּוֹתָר לְבָרִיאHalacha 9 · Cooking and Slaughtering for a Sick Person on Shabbos and the Remainder for a Healthy Person
הַמְבַשֵּׁלOne who cooksלְחוֹלֶהfor a sick personבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְאָכַלand ateהַחוֹלֶהthe sick personוְהוֹתִירand left overאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְבָרִיאfor a healthy personלֶאֱכלto eatמִןfromהַמֻּתָּרthe remainderגְּזֵרָהas a decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיַרְבֶּהhe will increaseבִּשְׁבִילוֹ.for his sakeאֲבָלbutהַשּׁוֹחֵטone who slaughtersלַחוֹלֶהfor a sick personבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמֻתָּרit is permittedלַבָּרִיאfor the healthy personלֶאֱכלto eatמִמֶּנּוּfrom itבָּשָׂרmeatחַיrawשֶׁאֵיןsince there is notבַּדָּבָרin the matterתּוֹסֶפֶתan additionכְּדֵיsoשֶׁנִּגְזֹרthat we should decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיַרְבֶּהhe will increaseבִּשְׁבִילוֹ.for his sakeוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאthat is similarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha discusses whether a healthy person may eat the leftovers of food prepared on Shabbos for a sick person, distinguishing between cooked food and raw slaughtered meat.
הל׳ י
טִפּוּל בְּחוֹלֶה שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ סַכָּנָה עַל יְדֵי נָכְרִי וְיִשְׂרָאֵלHalacha 10 · Caring for a Sick Person Who Is Not Dangerously Ill on Shabbos
חוֹלֶהA sick personשֶׁאֵיןwho there is notבּוֹin himסַכָּנָהdangerעוֹשִׂיןwe doלוֹfor himכָּלallצְרָכָיוhis needsעַלbyיְדֵיway ofנָכְרִי.a non-Jewכֵּיצַד.How soאוֹמְרִיןWe tellלַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewלַעֲשׂוֹתto doלוֹfor himוְהוּאand heעוֹשֶׂה.doesלְבַשֵּׁלto cookלוֹfor himוְלֶאֱפוֹתand to bakeוּלְהָבִיאand to bringרְפוּאָהmedicineמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּאֵלּוּ.of theseוְכֵןAnd soכּוֹחֵלone may paintעֵינָיוhis eyesמִןfromהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵיןthere is notשָׁםthereסַכָּנָה.dangerוְאִםAnd ifהָיוּtheyצְרִיכִיםneededלִדְבָרִיםthingsשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבָּהֶןin themמְלָאכָהmelachaעוֹשִׂיןwe doאוֹתָןthemאֲפִלּוּevenיִשְׂרָאֵל.a JewלְפִיכָךְThereforeמַעֲלִיןwe liftאָזְנַיִםearsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוּמַעֲלִיןand we liftאֻנְקְלִיcartilageוּמַחְזִירִיןand we restoreאֶת—הַשֶּׁבֶרthe fractureוְכָלand allכַּיּוֹצֵאthe likeבָּזֶהof thisמֻתָּר:is permitted
This halacha outlines the permissibility of using a non-Jew for melacha, and a Jew for non-melacha activities, to assist a sick person whose life is not in danger.
הל׳ יא
חִלּוּל שַׁבָּת עֲבוּר הַיּוֹלֶדֶת וְהַשִּׁנּוּי בַּעֲשִׂיָּתוֹHalacha 11 · Violating Shabbos for a Woman in Childbirth and Making Alterations
הַיּוֹלֶדֶתThe woman in childbirthכְּשֶׁכּוֹרַעַתwhen she squatsלֵילֵדto give birthהֲרֵיbeholdהִיאsheבְּסַכָּנַתis in danger ofנְפָשׁוֹתlivesוּמְחַלְּלִיןand we violateעָלֶיהָfor herאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosקוֹרְאִיןwe callלָהּfor herחֲכָמָהa midwifeמִמָּקוֹםfrom placeלְמָקוֹםto placeוְחוֹתְכִיםand we cutאֶת—הַטַּבּוּרthe umbilical cordוְקוֹשְׁרִיןand we tieאוֹתוֹ.itוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהshe wasצְרִיכָהin needלְנֵרof a lightבְּשָׁעָהat the timeשֶׁהִיאthat sheצוֹעֶקֶתcries outבַּחֲבָלֶיהָin her labor painsמַדְלִיקִיןwe lightלָהּfor herאֶת—הַנֵּר.the candleוַאֲפִלּוּand evenהָיְתָהif she wasסוּמָאblindמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁדַּעְתָּהּher mindמִתְיַשֶּׁבֶתis settledעָלֶיהָupon herבַּנֵּרwith the candleוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינָהּshe does notרוֹאָה.seeוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהshe wasצְרִיכָהin needלְשֶׁמֶןof oilוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבּוֹof itמְבִיאִיןwe bringלָהּ.for herוְכָלand anythingשֶׁאֶפְשָׁרthat is possibleלְשַׁנּוֹתto changeמְשַׁנִּיןwe changeבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofהֲבָאָהbringingכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁתָּבִיאthat she bringsלָהּto herחֲבֶרְתָּהּher friendכְּלִיa vesselתָּלוּיhangingבִּשְׂעָרָהּ.in her hairוְאִםand ifאִיnotאֶפְשָׁרpossibleמְבִיאָהshe bringsכְּדַרְכָּהּ:in her usual manner
This halacha outlines the permissibility of violating Shabbos to assist a woman in childbirth, including calling a midwife, lighting a candle, and bringing necessary supplies with an alteration if possible.
הל׳ יב
אֵין מְיַלְּדִין עוֹבֶדֶת כּוֹכָבִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 12 · Assisting an Idolater and a Ger Toshav in Childbirth on Shabbos
אֵיןWe do notמְיַלְּדִיןdeliverאֶת—הָעוֹבֶדֶתthe worshipper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמַזָּלוֹתand constellationsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּשָׂכָרfor paymentוְאֵיןand we do notחוֹשְׁשִׁיןworryלְאֵיבָהabout ill-willוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵיןthere is notשָׁםthereחִלּוּל.desecrationאֲבָלbutמְיַלְּדִיןwe do deliverאֶת—בַּתthe daughter ofגֵּרa residentתּוֹשָׁבalienמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאָנוּweמְצֻוִּיןare commandedלְהַחֲיוֹתוֹ.to sustain himוְאֵיןbut we do notמְחַלְּלִיןdesecrateעָלֶיהָfor herאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּת:the Shabbos
This halacha outlines the prohibition of assisting an idolater in childbirth on Shabbos, even without desecrating Shabbos, while permitting assistance to a ger toshav without violating Shabbos.
הל׳ יג
חִלּוּל שַׁבָּת עֲבוּר יוֹלֶדֶת בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה שְׁלַבִּיםHalacha 13 · Violating Shabbos for a Woman in Childbirth During Three Stages of Recovery
חַיָּהA woman in childbirthמִשֶּׁיַּתְחִילfrom when beginsהַדָּםthe bloodלִהְיוֹתto beשׁוֹתֵתflowingעַדuntilשֶׁתֵּלֵדshe gives birthוְאַחַרand afterשֶׁתֵּלֵדshe gives birthעַדuntilשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeיָמִיםdaysמְחַלְּלִיןwe violateעָלֶיהָon her behalfאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתShabbosוְעוֹשִׂיןand we doלָהּfor herכָּלallצְרָכֶיהָ.her needsבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁאָמְרָהshe saysצְרִיכָהneedאֲנִיIבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁאָמְרָהshe saysאֵינִיI do notצְרִיכָה.needוּמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהAnd from threeעַדuntilשִׁבְעָהsevenאִםifאָמְרָהshe saysאֵינִיI do notצְרִיכָהneedאֵיןwe do notמְחַלְּלִיןviolateעָלֶיהָon her behalfאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּת.Shabbosוְאִםand ifשָׁתְקָהshe remains silentוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayאִםifאָמְרָהshe saysצְרִיכָהneedאֲנִיIשֶׁמְּחַלְּלִיןthat we violateעָלֶיהָon her behalfאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּת.ShabbosוּמִשִּׁבְעָהAnd from sevenוְעַדand untilשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyיוֹםdaysהֲרֵיbeholdהִיאsheכְּחוֹלָהis like an ill personשֶׁאֵיןwho does notבּוֹhave in himסַכָּנָהdangerוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifאָמְרָהshe saysצְרִיכָהneedאֲנִיIאֵיןwe do notעוֹשִׂיןdoלָהּfor herמְלָאכָהmelachaאֶלָּאexceptעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofנָכְרִים:non-Jews
This halacha details the three distinct time periods after childbirth and how the laws of Shabbos are relaxed for the mother's health during each stage.
הל׳ יד
עֲשִׂיַּת מְדוּרָה לְחַיָּה וּרְחִיצַת הַוָּלָד בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 14 · Making a Fire for a Woman After Childbirth and Washing a Newborn on Shabbos
עוֹשִׂיןWe makeמְדוּרָהa fireלְחַיָּהfor a woman after childbirthוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבִּימוֹתin the days ofהַחַמָּהthe heatמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהַצִּנָּהthat the coldקָשָׁהis difficultלְחַיָּהfor a woman after childbirthהַרְבֵּהgreatlyבַּמְּקוֹמוֹתin the placesהַקָּרִים.the coldאֲבָלbutאֵיןwe do notעוֹשִׂיןmakeמְדוּרָהa fireלְחוֹלֶהfor a sick personלְהִתְחַמֵּםto warm himselfבָּהּ.with itהִקִּיזIf one letדָּםbloodוְנִצְטַנֵּןand became chilledעוֹשִׂיןwe makeלוֹfor himמְדוּרָהa fireאֲפִלּוּevenבִּתְקוּפַתin the season ofתַּמּוּז.TammuzוּמַרְחִיצִיןAnd we washאֶת—הַוָּלָדthe newbornבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבַּיּוֹםon the dayשֶׁנּוֹלַדthat he was bornאַחַרafterשֶׁחוֹתְכִיןthat we cutאֶת—טִבּוּרוֹhis umbilical cordאֲפִלּוּevenבְּחַמִּיןwith hot waterשֶׁהוּחַמּוּthat was heatedבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוּמוֹלְחִיןand we saltאוֹתוֹhimוּמְלַפְּפִיןand we swaddleאוֹתוֹhimמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁסַּכָּנָהthat dangerהִיאit isלוֹto himאִםifלֹאnotיַעֲשׂוּthey doלוֹfor himכָּלallאֵלּוּ.theseוְכֵןand likewiseמַרְחִיצִיםwe washאוֹתוֹhimלִפְנֵיbeforeהַמִּילָהthe circumcisionוּלְאַחַרand afterהַמִּילָהthe circumcisionוּבַיּוֹםand on the dayהַשְּׁלִישִׁיthe thirdלַמִּילָהto the circumcisionבְּחַמִּיןwith hot waterשֶׁהוּחַמּוּthat was heatedבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהַסַּכָּנָה:the danger
This halacha details the permissions to warm a woman after childbirth and to wash and care for a newborn baby on Shabbos due to danger to life.
הל׳ טו
הַצָּלַת וָלָד מִבֶּטֶן אִמּוֹ שֶׁמֵּתָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 15 · Saving a Fetus from the Womb of a Deceased Mother on Shabbos
הָאִשָּׁהThe womanשֶׁיָּשְׁבָהwho satעַלuponהַמַּשְׁבֵּרthe birthstoolוּמֵתָהand diedמְבִיאִיןwe bringסַכִּיןa knifeבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאֲפִלּוּevenדֶּרֶךְby way ofרְשׁוּתdomain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicוְקוֹרְעִיןand we tear openאֶת—כְּרֵסָהּher wombוּמוֹצִיאִיןand we extractאֶת—הַוָּלָדthe fetusשֶׁמָּאlestיִמָּצֵאhe will be foundחַיaliveשֶׁסְּפֵקfor a doubt ofנְפָשׁוֹתlivesדּוֹחֶהsupersedesאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosוַאֲפִלּוּand evenלָזֶהfor this oneשֶׁאֵיןwhoseחֶזְקָתוֹestablished status is notחַי:alive
This halacha establishes that we desecrate Shabbos to perform a post-mortem Caesarean section even when there is only a slight doubt that the fetus might still be alive.
הל׳ טז
פִּקּוּחַ נֶפֶשׁ בְּשַׁבָּת וְהַצָּלַת תִּינוֹק מִן הַיָּםHalacha 16 · Saving a Life on Shabbos and Rescuing a Child from the Sea
מְפַקְּחִיןOne savesפִּקּוּחַa saving ofנֶפֶשׁa lifeבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלִטּלto takeרְשׁוּתpermissionמִבֵּיתfrom a house ofדִּין.lawוְהַמַּקְדִּיםand the one who is quickלְהַצִּילto saveהַנֶּפֶשׁthe lifeהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneמְשֻׁבָּח.is praiseworthyכֵּיצַד.How soרָאָהIf one sawתִּינוֹקa childשֶׁנָּפַלwho fellלַיָּםinto the seaפּוֹרֵשׂhe spreadsמְצוּדָהa netוּמַעֲלֵהוּand brings him upוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heצָדtrapsהַדָּגִיםthe fishעִמּוֹ.with himשָׁמַעIf one heardשֶׁטָּבַעthat drownedתִּינוֹקa childבַּיָּםin the seaוּפָרַשׂand he spreadמְצוּדָהa netלְהַעֲלוֹתוֹto bring him upוְהֶעֱלָהand he brought upדָּגִיםfishבִּלְבַדaloneפָּטוּרhe is exemptמִכְּלוּם.from anythingנִתְכַּוֵּןIf he intendedלְהַעֲלוֹתto bring upדָּגִיםfishוְהֶעֱלָהand he brought upדָּגִיםfishוְתִינוֹקand a childפָּטוּרhe is exemptאֲפִלּוּeven ifלֹאnotשָׁמַעhe heardשֶׁטָּבַעthat he drownedהוֹאִילsinceוְהֶעֱלָהand he brought upתִּינוֹקa childעִםwithהַדָּגִיםthe fishפָּטוּר:he is exempt
This halacha teaches that saving a life supersedes Shabbos immediately without needing Rabbinic permission, and even if one's actions also result in a forbidden melacha like trapping fish, one is exempt from liability.
הל׳ יז
הַצָּלַת נֶפֶשׁ מִסַּכָּנָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 17 · Saving a Life from Danger on Shabbos Even When Deriving Benefit
נָפַלfellתִּינוֹקa childלַבּוֹרinto a pitעוֹקֵרone dislodgesחֻלְיָהa clod of earthוּמַעֲלֵהוּand brings him upוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heמְתַקֵּןpreparesבָּהּwith itמַדְרֵגָהa stepבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofעֲקִירָתוֹ.his dislodgingנִנְעַלwas lockedדֶּלֶתa doorבִּפְנֵיbeforeתִּינוֹקa childשׁוֹבֵרone breaksהַדֶּלֶתthe doorוּמוֹצִיאוֹand takes him outוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heמְפַצֵּלsplitsאוֹתָהּitכְּמִיןlikeעֵצִיםpieces of woodשֶׁרְאוּיִיןthat are fitלִמְלָאכָהfor workשֶׁמָּאlestיִבָּעֵתwill be frightenedהַתִּינוֹקthe childוְיָמוּת.and dieנָפְלָהfellדְּלֵקָהa fireוְיֵשׁand there isשָׁםthereאָדָםa personשֶׁחוֹשְׁשִׁיןwhom we fearשֶׁמָּאlestיִשָּׂרֵףhe will be burnedמְכַבִּיןwe extinguishאוֹתָהּitלְהַצִּילוֹto save himמִןfromהָאֵשׁthe fireוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heכּוֹבֵשׁclearsדֶּרֶךְa pathוּמְתַקְּנָהּand prepares itבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofכִּבּוּי.extinguishingוְכָלand anyoneהַקּוֹדֵםwho is firstלְהַצִּילto saveהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneמְשֻׁבָּחis praiseworthyוְאֵינוֹand he does notצָרִיךְneedלִטּלto takeרְשׁוּתpermissionמִבֵּיתfrom the house ofדִּיןjudgmentבְּכָלin anyדָּבָרmatterשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבּוֹin itסַכָּנָה:danger
This halacha details how one must act immediately to save a child or adult in danger on Shabbos, even if the rescue process results in secondary beneficial acts.
הל׳ יח
פִּקּוּחַ נֶפֶשׁ בְּמַפֹּלֶת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 18 · Clearing Debris to Save a Life on Shabbos
מִיOneשֶׁנָּפְלָהupon whom fellעָלָיוon himמַפּלֶתan avalancheסָפֵקdoubtהוּאheשָׁםis thereסָפֵקdoubtאֵינוֹhe is notשָׁםthereמְפַקְּחִיןwe clear debrisעָלָיו.for himמְצָאוּהוּIf they found himחַיaliveאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁנִּתְרוֹצֵץhe was crushedוְאִיand it isאֶפְשָׁרimpossibleשֶׁיִּבָּרֵאthat he will recoverמְפַקְּחִיןwe clear debrisעָלָיוfor himוּמוֹצִיאִיןand we take outאוֹתוֹhimלְחַיֵּיfor the life ofאוֹתָהּthatשָׁעָה:hour
This halacha teaches that we desecrate Shabbos to save a life even in cases of multiple doubts or when the person can only survive for a short duration.
הל׳ יט
פִּקּוּחַ נֶפֶשׁ בְּמַפֹּלֶת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 19 · Saving a Life from a Debris Collapse on Shabbos
בָּדְקוּThey checkedעַדuntilחָטְמוֹhis noseוְלֹאand notמָצְאוּdid they findבּוֹin himנְשָׁמָהbreathמַנִּיחִיןthey leaveאוֹתוֹhimשָׁםthereשֶׁכְּבָרfor alreadyמֵת.he diedבָּדְקוּThey checkedוּמָצְאוּand foundעֶלְיוֹנִיםthe upper onesמֵתִיםdeadלֹאnotיֹאמְרוּshould they sayכְּבָרalreadyמֵתוּdiedתַּחְתּוֹנִיםthe lower onesאֶלָּאratherמְפַקְּחִיןthey clear debrisעַלuponהַכּלeveryoneשֶׁאֶפְשָׁרfor it is possibleבְּמַפּלֶתin a collapseשֶׁיָּמוּתthat will dieהָעֶלְיוֹןthe upper oneוְיִהְיֶהand will beהַתַּחְתּוֹןthe lower oneחַי:alive
This halacha defines the signs of death under debris and rules that we must continue searching for survivors even if those on top are found dead.
הל׳ כ
פִּקּוּחַ נֶפֶשׁ בְּחָצֵר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ גּוֹיִם וִיהוּדִיםHalacha 20 · Saving a Life in a Courtyard with Jews and Non-Jews
הָיְתָהIf there wasחָצֵרa courtyardשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבָּהּin itעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמַזָּלוֹתand constellationsוְיִשְׂרְאֵלִיםand JewsאֲפִלּוּevenיִשְׂרָאֵלJewאֶחָדoneוְאֶלֶףand a thousandעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמַזָּלוֹתand constellationsוְנָפְלָהand fellעֲלֵיהֶםupon themמַפּלֶתa collapseמְפַקְּחִיןwe clearעַל—הַכּלeverythingמִפְּנֵיbecause ofיִשְׂרָאֵל.the JewפֵּרַשׁIf separatedאֶחָדoneמֵהֶםof themלֶחָצֵרto a courtyardאַחֶרֶתanotherוְנָפְלָהand fellעָלָיוupon himאוֹתָהּthatחָצֵרcourtyardמְפַקְּחִיםwe clearעָלָיוupon himשֶׁמָּאperhapsזֶהthis oneשֶׁפֵּרַשׁwho separatedהָיָהwasיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewוְהַנִּשְׁאָרִיםand those remainingעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמַזָּלוֹת:and constellations
This halacha teaches that we violate Shabbos to clear debris for a possible Jewish survivor, even if the majority of the residents are non-Jews.
הל׳ כא
פִּקּוּחַ נֶפֶשׁ בְּמַפֹּלֶת וְדִין הָרֹבHalacha 21 · Saving a Life from an Avalanche and the Status of the Majority on Shabbos
נֶעֶקְרוּThey departedכֻּלָּןall of themמֵחָצֵרfrom a courtyardזוֹthisלֵילֵךְto goלֶחָצֵרto a courtyardאַחֶרֶתanotherוּבְעֵתand at the time ofעֲקִירָתָםtheir departureפֵּרַשׁseparatedאֶחָדoneמֵהֶןof themוְנִכְנַסand enteredלֶחָצֵרto a courtyardאַחֶרֶתanotherוְנָפְלָהand fellעָלָיוupon himמַפּלֶתan avalancheוְאֵיןand notיָדוּעַknownמִיwhoהוּאheאֵיןwe do notמְפַקְּחִיןremove debrisעָלָיו.upon himשֶׁכֵּיוָןfor sinceשֶׁנֶּעֶקְרוּthat they departedכֻּלָּםall of themאֵיןthere is notכָּאןhereיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewוְכָלand anyoneהַפּוֹרֵשׁwho separatesמֵהֶןfrom themכְּשֶׁהֵןwhen theyמְהַלְּכִיןare walkingהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheבְּחֶזְקַתis in the statusשֶׁפֵּרַשׁthat he separatedמִןfromהָרֹב.the majorityלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifהָיָהwasהָרֹבthe majorityיִשְׂרָאֵלJewishאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁנֶּעֶקְרוּthey departedכֻּלָּםall of themוּפֵרַשׁand separatedאֶחָדoneמֵהֶםof themלְחָצֵרto a courtyardאַחֶרֶתanotherוְנָפְלָהand fellעָלָיוupon himמַפּלֶתan avalancheמְפַקְּחִין:we remove debris
This halacha discusses whether we may clear debris on Shabbos to save someone trapped under a collapsed building when a mixed group of Jews and non-Jews has departed from the courtyard.
הל׳ כב
הַמְהַלֵּךְ בַּמִּדְבָּר וְאֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ מָתַי שַׁבָּתHalacha 22 · One Who is Traveling in the Desert and Forgot When Shabbos Is
הַמְהַלֵּךְOne who travelsבַּמִּדְבָּרin the desertוְלֹאand notיָדַעdid knowמָתַיwhenהוּאitיוֹםis the day ofשַׁבָּתShabbosמוֹנֶהcountsמִיּוֹםfrom the dayשֶׁטָּעָהthat he erredשִׁשָּׁהsixוּמְקַדֵּשׁand sanctifiesשְׁבִיעִיthe seventhוּמְבָרֵךְand blessesבּוֹon itבִּרְכוֹתthe blessings ofהַיּוֹםthe dayוּמַבְדִּילand recites Havdalahבְּמוֹצָאֵיat the departure ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוּבְכָלand on everyיוֹםdayוָיוֹםand dayוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּיוֹםon dayזֶהthisשֶׁהוּאthat heמְקַדֵּשׁsanctifiesוּמַבְדִּילand recites Havdalahבּוֹon itמֻתָּרit is permittedלוֹfor himלַעֲשׂוֹתto doכְּדֵיenough forפַּרְנָסָתוֹhis livelihoodבִּלְבַדonlyכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיָמוּת.he will dieוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלוֹfor himלַעֲשׂוֹתto doיוֹתֵרmoreעַלthanפַּרְנָסָתוֹhis livelihoodשֶׁכָּלfor everyיוֹםdayוָיוֹםand dayסְפֵקis a doubt ofשַׁבָּתShabbosהוּא.itוְאִםand ifיָדַעhe knewשֶׁהוּאthat itשְׁמִינִיis the eighthלִיצִיאָתוֹfrom his departureאוֹorחֲמִשָּׁהthe fifteenthעָשָׂר·לִיצִיאָתוֹfrom his departureוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבְּזֶהto thisהַמִּנְיָןcountהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneמֻתָּרis permittedלַעֲשׂוֹתto doמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּאוֹתוֹon thatהַיּוֹםdayשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהַדָּבָרthe matterוַדַּאיis certainשֶׁלֹּאthat notיָצָאdid he go outבְּשַׁיָּרָאwith a caravanבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofהַיָּמִיםthe daysחוּץexceptמִיּוֹםfrom dayזֶהthisעוֹשֶׂהhe doesכְּדֵיenough forפַּרְנָסָהlivelihoodבִּלְבַד:only
This halacha details how a lost traveler who loses track of the days of the week must count six days and observe the seventh as Shabbos, while restricting his daily labor to only what is necessary for survival.
הל׳ כג
מִלְחָמָה וְהַצָּלַת נְפָשׁוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 23 · Waging War and Saving Lives on Shabbos
עוֹבְדֵיWorshippers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמַזָּלוֹתand zodiac signsשֶׁצָּרוּwho besiegedעַל·עֲיָרוֹתcities ofיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelאִםifבָּאוּthey cameעַלforעִסְקֵיmatters ofמָמוֹןmoneyאֵיןwe do notמְחַלְּלִיןviolateעֲלֵיהֶןbecause of themאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosוְאֵיןand we do notעוֹשִׂיןwageעִמָּהֶןwith themמִלְחָמָה.warוּבְעִירbut in a cityהַסְּמוּכָהthat is closeלַסְּפָרto the borderאֲפִלּוּeven ifלֹאnotבָּאוּthey cameאֶלָּאexceptעַלforעִסְקֵיmatters ofתֶּבֶןhayוְקַשׁand strawיוֹצְאִיןwe go outעֲלֵיהֶןagainst themבִּכְלֵיwith weapons ofזַיִןwarוּמְחַלְּלִיןand we violateעֲלֵיהֶןbecause of themאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosוּבְכָלand in everyמָקוֹםplaceאִםifבָּאוּthey cameעַלforעִסְקֵיmatters ofנְפָשׁוֹתlivesאוֹorשֶׁעָרְכוּthat they wagedמִלְחָמָהwarאוֹorשֶׁצָּרוּthat they besiegedסְתָםwithout specifyingיוֹצְאִיןwe go outעֲלֵיהֶןagainst themבִּכְלֵיwith weapons ofזַיִןwarוּמְחַלְּלִיןand we violateעֲלֵיהֶןbecause of themאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosוּמִצְוָהand it is a mitzvahעַלuponכָּלall ofיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelשֶׁיְּכוֹלִיןwho are ableלָבוֹאto comeוְלָצֵאתand to go outוְלַעֲזֹרand to assistלְאַחֵיהֶםtheir brothersשֶׁבַּמָּצוֹרwho are in the siegeוּלְהַצִּילָםand to save themמִיַּדfrom the hand ofהָעוֹבְדֵיthe worshippers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמַזָּלוֹתand zodiac signsבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלָהֶןfor themלְהִתְמַהֲמֵהַּto delayלְמוֹצָאֵיuntil the departure ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוּכְשֶׁיַּצִּילוּand when they have savedאֶת—אֲחֵיהֶןtheir brothersמֻתָּרit is permittedלָהֶןfor themלַחֲזֹרto returnבִּכְלֵיwith weapons ofזַיִןwarשֶׁלָּהֶןtheirsלִמְקוֹמָםto their placeבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notלְהַכְשִׁילָןto cause them to stumbleלֶעָתִידin the futureלָבוֹא:to come
This halacha outlines the laws of violating Shabbos to defend Jewish cities against non-Jewish attackers, distinguishing between financial raids and life-threatening sieges, especially near the border.
הל׳ כד
הַצָּלַת נְפָשׁוֹת וּזְעָקָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 24 · Saving Lives from Danger and Crying Out on Shabbos
וְכֵןAnd so tooסְפִינָהa shipהַמְטֹרֶפֶתthat is tossingבַּיָּםin the seaאוֹorעִירa cityשֶׁהִקִּיפָהּthat surrounded itכַּרְקוֹםa siegeאוֹorנָהָרa riverמִצְוָהit is a mitzvahלָצֵאתto go outבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלְהַצִּילָןto save themבְּכָלwith everyדָּבָרthingשֶׁיָּכוֹלthat is possibleלְהַצִּילָן.to save themוַאֲפִלּוּand evenיָחִידan individualהַנִּרְדָּףwho is pursuedמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהָעוֹבְדֵיthe worshippers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמַזָּלוֹתand constellationsאוֹorמִפְּנֵיbecause ofנָחָשׁa snakeאוֹorדֹּבa bearשֶׁהוּאthat isרוֹדֵףpursuingאַחֲרָיוafter himלְהָרְגוֹto kill himמִצְוָהit is a mitzvahלְהַצִּילוֹ.to save himוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבַּעֲשִׂיַּתwith the performing ofכַּמָּהseveralמְלָאכוֹתmelachosבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוַאֲפִלּוּand evenלְתַקֵּןto prepareכְּלֵיweapons ofזַיִןarmourלְהַצִּילוֹto save himמֻתָּר.is permittedוְזוֹעֲקִיםand we cry outעֲלֵיהֶןfor themוּמִתְחַנְּנִיםand we supplicateבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוּמַתְרִיעִיןand we sound the alarmעֲלֵיהֶןfor themלַעֲזֹרto helpאוֹתָם.themוְאֵיןbut we do notמִתְחַנְּנִיםsupplicateוְלֹאand notזוֹעֲקִיןcry outעַלoverהַדֶּבֶרthe plagueבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha teaches that one must desecrate Shabbos to save any individual or community in immediate life-threatening danger, including preparing weapons or crying out in prayer.
הל׳ כה
דִּינֵי מָצוֹר עַל עָרֵי הָעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים וּמַזָּלוֹת קֹדֶם הַשַּׁבָּתHalacha 25 · The Laws of Besieging Gentile Cities Before Shabbos and Waging War on Shabbos
צָרִיןWe besiegeעַל·עֲיָרוֹתcities ofהָעוֹבְדֵיthe worshippers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמַזָּלוֹתand constellationsשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeיָמִיםdaysקֹדֶםbeforeלַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosוְעוֹשִׂיןand we makeעִמָּהֶןwith themמִלְחָמָהwarבְּכָלon everyיוֹםdayוָיוֹםand dayוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosעַדuntilשֶׁכּוֹבְשִׁיןthat we conquerאוֹתָהּitוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהִיאthat it isמִלְחֶמֶתa war ofהָרְשׁוּת.choiceמִפִּיfrom the mouth ofהַשְּׁמוּעָהthe traditionלָמְדוּthey learnedדבריםDevarimכ20כ20"עַדuntilרִדְתָּהּ"its descentוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayבְּמִלְחֶמֶתregarding a war ofמִצְוָה.mitzvahוְלֹאand did notכָּבַשׁconquerיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaיְרִיחוֹYerichoאֶלָּאexceptבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha teaches that while a siege on a voluntary war must begin at least three days before Shabbos, once started, the war continues even on Shabbos itself until the city is conquered.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The halachos establish that the laws of Shabbos are suspended in the face of danger to human life, even when there is only a doubt of danger or a disagreement among physicians. When a multi-day treatment is required, it must begin immediately on Shabbos without delay, even if it means violating multiple Sabbaths. All of the patient's needs—such as cooking, baking, heating water, or adjusting lamps—are treated as weekday matters. Crucially, these necessary acts of desecration should be performed by adult Jewish men and Torah scholars rather than by non-Jews, children, servants, or women, ensuring that the public does not come to view the sanctity of Shabbos flippantly.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The holy Torah is not a set of rigid, cold rules, but a living blueprint of Hashem's infinite mercy, kindness, and peace. When we are faced with a situation of danger to life on Shabbos, the halachah demands that we do not hesitate, nor do we look for workarounds through children or gentiles. Instead, the greatest among us must act immediately, because the very same Hashem who commanded us to keep Shabbos commanded us to live by His mitzvos, not to die by them.
This teaches us a profound lesson about our daily avodah. If Hashem values a single moment of physical life so much that He commands us to set aside the entire holy Shabbos for it, how much more must we value our own spiritual life and the lives of those around us? We must never allow ourselves to become cold or mechanical in our yiras shamayim. Our relationship with Hashem and His Torah must be defined by warmth, vitality, and a deep appreciation for the preciousness of every single soul.
Today, show someone else extraordinary warmth and care, remembering that preserving and nurturing a Jewish soul is the highest expression of Hashem's will.