Question:
Why do we exist?
Why do we exist?
Deuteronomy 22:4
If you see your fellow’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it; you must help him raise it.
If you see your fellow’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it; you must help him raise it.
Mishneh Torah, Murderer and the Preservation of Life 13:13-14
"When a person encounters two individuals: one whose donkey is fallen under its load and one with a donkey whose burden has been unloaded, but who cannot find anyone to help him reload it."
Question:
Who do you help first?
"When a person encounters two individuals: one whose donkey is fallen under its load and one with a donkey whose burden has been unloaded, but who cannot find anyone to help him reload it."
Question:
Who do you help first?
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Mishneh Torah, Murderer and the Preservation of Life 13:13-14
It is a mitzvah to unload the fallen donkey first, because of the discomfort suffered by the animal. Afterwards, he should reload the other animal.
It is a mitzvah to unload the fallen donkey first, because of the discomfort suffered by the animal. Afterwards, he should reload the other animal.
Bava Metzia 32b
If one encounters a friend whose animal collapsed and it is necessary to unload its burden, and one also encounters an enemy who needs assistance to load a burden onto his animal, the mitzva is to assist the enemy, in order to subjugate one’s evil inclination.
The Gemara reasons: And if it enters your mind that the requirement to prevent suffering to animals is by Torah law, that option, to unload his friend’s animal, is the preferable course of action for him. The Gemara answers: Even if the requirement to prevent suffering to animals is by Torah law, even so, loading his enemy’s animal in order to subjugate his evil inclination is preferable.
If one encounters a friend whose animal collapsed and it is necessary to unload its burden, and one also encounters an enemy who needs assistance to load a burden onto his animal, the mitzva is to assist the enemy, in order to subjugate one’s evil inclination.
The Gemara reasons: And if it enters your mind that the requirement to prevent suffering to animals is by Torah law, that option, to unload his friend’s animal, is the preferable course of action for him. The Gemara answers: Even if the requirement to prevent suffering to animals is by Torah law, even so, loading his enemy’s animal in order to subjugate his evil inclination is preferable.
Vilna Gaon, Commentary to Mishlei 4:13
The entire purpose of our existence is to overcome our negative habits.
The entire purpose of our existence is to overcome our negative habits.