beliefs and teachings: sanctity of life and pikuach nefresh

Question 1

what does judaism teaches about all life and why?

Answer 1

teaches that all life comes from god as it clearly states in the book of genesis that humans were created in the human and likeness of god

Question 2

why is life sacred?

Answer 2

because life is given by god

Question 3

how is life being scared reflected?

Answer 3

reflected throughout the jewish scriptures

Question 4

what does the psalms often speak?

Answer 4

poetically of the way that god created humans and cherishes them

Question 5

what does the Jeremiah the prophet speak about?

Answer 5

speaks about how god has total knowledge of him as he was made in his mother’s womb

Question 6

what is the source of authority about image of god?

Answer 6

“so god created man in his own image”

Question 7

what is the source of authority about murder?

Answer 7

“you shall not murder”

Question 8

what are the 2 sources of authority about the womb?

Answer 8

“before I formed you in the womb I knew you”
“for you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb”

Question 9

what is the source of authority about saving a life?

Answer 9

“whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved the entire world”

Question 10

what is the source of authority about judge and lawgiver?

Answer 10

“there is only one lawgiver and judge, the one who is able to save money and destroy”

Question 11

what is very important for jews?

Answer 11

by following the commandments and keeping religious laws

Question 12

what is pikuach nefresh?

Answer 12

when a human life is at risk, saving it is the most important thing to do meaning reading some of the mitzvot in the torah

Question 13

what 3 mitzvot cannot be broken?

Answer 13

adultery, incest and idolatry (worshipping false gods)

Question 14

what do jews believe that they should with the torah? give some example

Answer 14

believe that they should live by the torah but not die because of it
for example, at Yom Kippur, jews are required to fast but if a life is put at risk then they shouldn’t do it
required to follow strict laws about what to eat but if they are starving any food will do

Question 15

what actions does the talmud allowed on sabbath? (4)

Answer 15

1. rescuing a drowning child
2. breaking a door to prevent it closing on a child
3. moving rubble from a collapsed wall to save a child
4. extinguishing a fire to save a life

Question 16

what are acceptable on sabbath?

Answer 16

to work if doing so will save a life
doctors can answer emergency calls
travelling to hospital for an emergency
to preserve a life may travel

Question 17

why is working allowed on sabbath?

Answer 17

as in judaism, the emphasis is on life not on death as god is the creator who has given life

Question 18

what do jews believe about abortion?

Answer 18

if a pregnant women is going to die, then the foetus should be aborted if abortion will save a life. her life is superior to the foetus

Question 19

what are the 2 sources off authority relating to the sabbath?

Answer 19

“do not stand by whilst your neighbours life is at risk”
“the possibility of danger to human life renders inoperative the laws of the sabbath”