תלמוד בבלי מסכת סנהדרין דף נז עמוד א
דתניא, רבי יונתן בן שאול אומר: רודף אחר חבירו להורגו, ויכול להצילו באחד מאבריו ולא הציל נהרג עליו
It was taught in a Baraita: Rabbi Yonatan ben Shaul says: If one pursues his fellow to kill her and the one being pursued was able to save herself by maiming one of the pursuer’s limbs, but she did not save herself that way (by maiming the pursuer - i.e. she killed the pursuer instead), she is executed for it. [Translation by Uri L’Tzedek. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. In Jewish law, if someone is pursuing you to kill you, you are allowed to kill that person first. How is this Baratia an exception to this rule? Why?
2. How can we understand this text in the context of the ethics of war?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)