{"id":22172,"date":"2022-04-08T06:28:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T09:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/?p=22172"},"modified":"2024-04-08T06:35:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T09:35:34","slug":"the-prohibition-of-murder-and-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/en\/the-prohibition-of-murder-and-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"The Prohibition of Murder and Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Guarding the Sanctity of Human Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rabbi Akiva said: \u201cBeloved is humankind, for they were created in the image
of the Creator; it is an even greater love
that it was made known to them that
they were created in the image of the
Creator, as it is stated [Genesis 9:6]: For
He made humankind in the Divine
image.\u201d<\/p>Ethics of the Fathers, Ch 3.<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Meaning<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The following is adapted from the Introduction by Dr. Michael Schulman to the section on the Prohibition of Murder and Injury, in \u201cThe Divine Code,\u201d Part V:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human life is an unalienable right of every person, and a gift from G-d that He expects us to guard and respect. Mankind was created \u201cin the image of G-d,\u201d and therefore possesses a dimension of holiness. Taking a human life diminishes a measure of the Divine image that is present in the world, and without G-d\u2019s permission it is strictly forbidden. Furthermore, murder is an act of extreme rebellion against G-d Himself, Who blessed mankind \u201cto be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth\u201d (Genesis 1:28), and \u201cHe did not create it for emptiness; He fashioned it to be inhabited\u201d (Isaiah 45:18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, a person who murders harms many others as well. The tragic loss of a person\u2019s life afflicts his loved ones, his friends, and his associates. The effects of murder also extend across time and space. A murderer also \u201ckills\u201d his victim\u2019s would-be descendants for all generations to come. All that potential for good throughout the future has been lost because of the violent act. Even if the victim would not have subsequently had any children, all of a person\u2019s great or small good deeds are the spiritual fruits that he adds to the world. Therefore, the Jewish Sages taught that someone who causes the destruction of one person\u2019s life from the world is considered as if he destroyed an entire world, and conversely, someone who saves or sustains one person\u2019s life in the world is considered as if he saved an entire world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet what acts constitute the sin of murder? Are there times when killing is permitted by the Torah? Does a person ever have the \u201cright\u201d to end his or her own life? What about engaging in activities that are inherently life threatening, or accepting donor organs from living persons who will not regain consciousness? In the Noahide Code, G-d provided ample instructions for how the commandment applies in any circumstance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the respect one must have for the \u201cimage of G-d\u201d extends beyond taking or saving a human life. Are there acts that don\u2019t involve physical harm, but which are spiritually equivalent to murder? For example, can one be guilty in the eyes of G-d for destroying another\u2019s reputation, or subjecting him to humiliation? What if the publicized damaging information is true? These questions, as well as many more, are addressed in the Noahide Code. Specifically, \u201cMurder and Injury\u201d covers obvious issues such as homicide (whether premeditated murder or accidental manslaughter), suicide, euthanasia, and causing serious physical injury. It covers issues such as the Torah Laws regarding permissible acts of self-defense, endangering one\u2019s life to save another, and death caused through criminal or unavoidable negligence. The prohibition of injury also extends to non-physical attacks such as slander, embarrassment, and causing emotional harm. Even though many of the precepts relating to murder and injury are complex, an underlying theme can be summarized in one sentence. It is known as Hillel\u2019s \u201cGolden Rule\u201d of the Torah, and it simply states, \u201cThat which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. The rest is the explanation; go and learn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By extension, a person should also refrain from speaking evil about others, as well as against the Creator, for respect is due to every person by virtue of being created with a rational human soul, which is the \u201cDivine image\u201d within a person. If one speaks words that destroy a favorable image of a person in another\u2019s mind, then one has done actual harm, both to the person who was spoken about and to the listener. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Hassidic movement, explained: \u201cEvil gossip kills all three \u2013 the inventor of the slander, the one who relates it, and the listener. This is all in spiritual terms\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scriptural Sources<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

This prohibition is stated in Genesis 9:6 \u2013 \u201cWhoever sheds the blood of man, among man, his blood shall be shed; for in the image of G-d He made man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Details and Related Principles<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

List of topics in the Table of Contents under the Prohibition of Murder and Injury, in \u201cThe Divine Code,\u201d Part V: <\/p>\n\n\n\n