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This gaon’s ruling teaches us that a single Jewish life is more pre-
cious to us than anything else, more so even than this important
mitzvah that we so yearn to fulfill and for which we daven three times
a day. All the more so ought we to suppress our emotions and avoid
arousing the nations’ enmity towards Yisrael.

Learn from the Rema’s remarks (Orach Chaim 334:6) – that if fire
breaks out on Shabbos among non-Jews it is permitted to desecrate
Shabbos in order to put it out so that they not make accusations
against us, thereby arousing their hostility. See also the Chasam Sofer
(Vol. 6, omitted topics relating to Choshen Mishpat), who rules that
no objection should be made to a Jewish physician who rides in a
wagon on Shabbos in order to heal a gentile. Even though forbidden
activities are involved, no protest should be made so as not to arouse
the non-Jews’ animosity. Nonetheless, the physician may not benefit
from any payment that he receives as a result of desecrating Shabbos.
See also the Chasam Sofer (Yoreh De’ah 1, end of 131) who writes, “If
this animosity raises concern of possible danger to life, even melachos
forbidden by Torah law can be permitted.”

Even in regard to the corpses of the enemy at the time of the war
of Gog and Magog, the navi says that Yisrael will treat them with
respect and give them a fitting burial and that this will give Yisrael “a
good name.”



May Shabbos be Desecrated to Save an Enemy

in order to Obtain Information from Him?

Question: An enemy became sick on Shabbos. Does halachah permit
desecrating Shabbos to save his life, for the purpose of obtaining in-
formation from him that may save Jewish lives?

Response: Shabbos can be desecrated to save an enemy’s life when
there is a chance of our obtaining information from him that might

488 1 Medical-Halachic Responsa of Rav Zilberstein