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From: avi@utcsrgv.UUCP (Avi Naiman)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: When the Sabbath can be desecrated
Message-ID: <5009@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 7-Aug-84 21:50:05 EDT
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.5009
Posted: Tue Aug  7 21:50:05 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 7-Aug-84 22:17:18 EDT
References: <108@faron.UUCP>
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Lines: 43

	Mike Turniansky's response to Mark Tischler's letter highlighted
the fact that there are some misconceptions as to when 'melachah' (work)
is allowed on the Sabbath and when it isn't.  From my understanding,
based on interpretations made by my rabbis in orthodox 'yeshivahs'
(post-secondary religious institutions), it is completely permissible
to desecrate the Sabbath when the life (or limb) of a Jew is at stake
(or even in danger) -- though not so if only property is concerned,
(I can't recall what the story is with animals).  [In order to remain in 
harmony with the non-Jews in whose countries we reside, it has generally 
been accepted that the same laws apply even when the life or limb of a
non-Jew is at stake.]

	Most of what Mike said is correct, and his suggestions regarding
ways around having to answer the phone on the Sabbath are reasonable and
quite common in the Jewish communities I've lived in.  One other way to
contact someone who won't answer his phone on the Sabbath (many people
actually disconnect theirs), is to phone the police and explain the
situation.  This will usually convince them to send a squad car around 
to the residence of the "unreachable" person in an emergency situation.

	One point that both Mike and Harlan Braude made, however, is not
strictly correct.  They contend that, even in an emergency situation,
there is no reason they need be contacted, as they would not be of any
medical assistance.  It is brought down (the source eludes me now, but
I'll track it down if anyone really bugs me for it), that if a dying
person (A) requests to see someone (B), then B is allowed to desecrate
the Sabbath in order to reach A as fast as possible.  The question is
then raised that perhaps A should just be told that B is on the way,
but B should not be contacted (especially if there's no way in hell [:-)]
for B to arrive in time).  However, since A might know the 'halacha' (law),
he would know that B would not be contacted, and he would not be fooled.
Therefore, it was decided that in all cases, B should be contacted and
immediately set out towards A.


				Gotta go break my fast,

-- 

					Avi Naiman

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