It is well known that Pikuach Nefesh overrides all Torah prohibitions, excluding the three cardinal sins (Aveiros Chamuros): idolatry, adultery, and murder. When faced with any of these three sins, one must “forfeit his...
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Rabbi Yosef Sprung
Ger Toshav, Shabbos, and Pikuach Nefesh
Although the Gemara and Rishonim rule unambiguously that one may only violate Shabbos for the Pikuach Nefesh of a Yisrael, not for a Nachri, the Chasam Sofer’s ruling on this matter is well known (Shu”t 2:131): if there...
Rabbi Yosef Sprung
Drawing It Up
Most intravenous infusions come as ready-to-administer liquids, but some medications are unstable in liquid form and must be diluted immediately before use. The medication comes as a powder and is prepared for use...
Playing It Safe – Whose Fault Is It?
Among the theological paradoxes of our faith is that while it is elemental that anything that befalls a person is decreed in Heaven, a person is nevertheless obligated to actively guard his health (as we have discussed...
פעולה טבעית ולא טבעית בפיקוח נפש (2)
במאמר הקודם התחלנו לבסס יסוד הלכתי משמעותי בהלכות פיקוח נפש. על פי היסוד הזה, כשיש לפני האדם שנדרש להציל את הנפש שתי אפשרויות, האחת כוללת חילול שבת או עבירה אחרת, והשניה איננה כוללת חילול שבת, בדרך כלל ברור שעליו לבחור...
Life or Limb?
While all Torah prohibitions are set aside for Pikuach Nefesh, including Chillul Shabbos, this is not the case for a Choleh sheEin Bo Sakana (a person whose life will not be endangered if he does not receive treatment)...
