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plish the same with a less stringent prohibition, Shimon is obligated
to do so in place of Reuven. Likewise, a physician whose luck was that
he is not required to travel on Shabbos is not obligated to forego this
in order to reduce Shimon’s travel, which is permissible.
In short, the rule of “the most lenient goes first” applies when one WHAT LEVEL OF DANGER
person has a choice between a more stringent prohibition and a lesser 113 IS A PERSON ALLOWED
#
one. However, one cannot force another person to do the mild prohi- TO UNDERTAKE IN
bition in order to make things easier on his friend. ORDER TO SAVE
ANOTHER PERSON’S
My father-in-law brought proof that the rule of “the most lenient LIFE?
first” is Rabbinic. Both Rashba and Tosfos (Gittin 8b, s.v. af al gav)
are of the opinion that increasing measures is only Rabbinically
prohibited. The Ran (Beitzah 9b, in the pages of the Rif s.v. umee-
hu) questioned this, because the Gemara (Menachos 64a) raises the
question regarding a sick person who needed two figs to eat. There 1 Questions UndeRtaking dangeR in oRdeR to save a life
are either two figs on two separate branches, or three figs on a single
branch. Should he cut off the two that the patient needs or should he 1. Medical advancements are largely dependant on medical studies
cut off the three on one branch in order to minimize the number of done on people. Every new medication, before being approved
cuts? The Ran asks: Is it not obvious that he should cut off the three for general use, is tested on animals, after which it is tested on
from one branch, because increasing measures is only Rabbinically healthy humans who either volunteer of their own will or do so
prohibited, and increasing the amount of cuts is biblically prohibited? in order to receive payment. To what point is a person permit-
My father-in-law, Rav Y. S. Elyashiv, zt”l, answered that it is pos- ted to participate in such an experiment, when there is a slight
sible that Rashba and the Tosfos are of the view that the rule of “the but significant danger involved?
most lenient first” is only Rabbinic. Therefore, there is place to claim Prof. Shimon Click, head of internal medicine department,
that it is preferrable to cut two figs off two sparate branches, so as not central southern Hospital of Beer Sheva
to cut off an extra fig. If he cuts off the three figs, although the actual
prohibition is lighter, he will be left with an extra fig in hand. Since 2. A policeman sent to disable a bomb can be killed while disabling
there is no Torah rule that “the most lenient comes first,” one does it. Things like this have unfortunately happened. (May Hash-
not have to try to do the lightest violation. Therefore, there is place to em avenge their blood.) To what extent is a person allowed to
claim that perhaps it is better to transgress the more serious violation endanger himself to disable a bomb, in order to save people or
so that one not be left with an extra fig which was cut from its branch property?
unnecessarily on Shabbos. We learn from here that the rule of “the 3. Statistics from some forty years ago (in the year 5690) showed
most lenient first” is only Rabbinic. that out of one-hundred women who underwent three Cae-
Therefore, when the hospital is arranging work and shift sched- sarean sections and became pregnant a fourth time, thirty had
ules, they should arrange for the one who lives closer by to travel to spontaneous rupture of the uterus during the fourth birth,
the hospital on Shabbos. If this physician claims it is unfair for him to and were in mortal danger. (Many physicians disagreed with

340 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein Undertaking danger in order to save a life 2 369