תלמוד בבלי ,בבא מציעא סב עמוד א
שנים שהיו מהלכין בדרך, וביד אחד מהן קיתון של מים, אם שותין שניהם - מתים, ואם שותה אחד מהן - מגיע לישוב. דרש בן פטורא: מוטב שישתו שניהם וימותו, ואל יראה אחד מהם במיתתו של חבירו. עד שבא רבי עקיבא ולימד: וחי אחיך עמך - חייך קודמים לחיי חבירך
Two people were traveling, and [only] one of them had a canteen of water.[There was only enough water so that] if both of them drank they would both die, but if one of them drank [only] that person would make it back to an inhabited area [and live].Ben Petura publicly taught:'Better both should drink and die than that one see their friend's death,' until Rabbi Akiva came and taught: 'Your fellow should live with you' (Leviticus 25:36) - your life takes precedence over the life of your friend's. [Translation Rav Eliezer Kwass. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Do you agree with Rabbi Akiva? Why?
2. Why does this text specify that the two people are friends? How does this affect our understanding of the text?
3. What can we learn from this text about how we should divide surplus resources?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)