תלמוד בבלי, יומא פה.-פה:
מניין לפקוח נפש שדוחה את השבת? נענה רבי ישמעאל ואמר: (שמות כב) אם במחתרת ימצא הגנב. ומה זה, שספק על ממון בא ספק על נפשות בא, ושפיכות דמים מטמא את הארץ וגורם לשכינה שתסתלק מישראל - ניתן להצילו בנפשו, קל וחומר לפקוח נפש שדוחה את השבת.
How do we know that when life is in danger Sabbath may be violated? Rabbi Ishmael answered: It is written [Exodus 22:2]: "If a thief is found while breaking in and is hurt so that he dies, there shall be no blood shed for him." We can deduce, a fortiori, from this: If in this case, when it is doubtful whether he had come to steal only or to murder that taking his life is permitted even though bloodshed defiles the land and causes God's presence to distance from Israel, how much more is violation of the Sabbath (less important than bloodshed) permitted to save a human life.
[AJWS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. This text places the saving of human life above important and vital laws. How can we apply this prioritization to government policies? To our own lives?
2. How does murder defile the land and distance us from God's presence? What is the nature of this punishment?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)