"Do Not Stand by the Blood of Your Neighbor"

The Mitzvah of Helping to Save Lives

"You shall not stand by the blood of your neighbor, I am Hashem" (Vayikra 19:19)

The essence of this mitzvah is to do whatever one can to save others, especially when they are in mortal danger.

Rashi explains the verse above, writing: "I am Hashem, faithful to reward and faithful to punish." That is, I am Hashem, and can be relied upon to reward those who fulfill this mitzvah (and all others, too), and can also be relied upon to punish those who violate this mitzvah and all others.

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 73a) discusses the obligation to rescue a person in danger, noting that the verse "Do not stand by the blood of your neighbor" serves as support for this. The Sages taught: "From where do we learn that someone who sees his fellow drowning in a river, or being dragged off by a wild animal, or being attacked by robbers, is obligated to save him? The Torah teaches: 'Do not stand by the blood of your neighbor.'"

Rambam (Maimonides) notes that a person can also call others to help save someone. He further explains that the mitzvah, "Do not stand by the blood of your neighbor" is among the severe prohibitions, as there is great importance in saving lives, "for whoever destroys a single soul is considered as if he destroyed an entire world, and whoever saves a single soul is considered as if he saved an entire world" (Laws of Murder and Preservation of Life, Chapter 1, Law 16).

It is clear that if the person will not endanger himself when attempting to rescue someone, he is obligated to come to his aid.

Examples of Fulfilling this Mitvah

Rambam provides several examples of situations where the mitzvah, "Do not stand by the blood of your neighbor" applies, writing:

"Anyone who can rescue and does not do so, transgresses: 'Do not stand by the blood of your neighbor'"

If a person has the ability to help someone who is in distress or danger and does nothing, they violate this Torah prohibition.

"And likewise someone who sees his friend drowning in the sea"

If someone sees another person drowning in the sea and has the ability to save them, they must do so. If they do not save them, they violate the commandment: "Do not stand by the blood of your neighbor."

"Or robbers attacking him"

If someone sees robbers or bandits attacking someone, and they have the strength or means to save them, they must act. If they do not do so, they violate this mitzvah.

"Or a wild animal coming upon him"

If a person sees someone in danger of being attacked by a dangerous animal, and they can intervene and rescue them, they must do so. Failure to save someone in such a situation constitutes a violation of the mitzvah.

"And he can save him himself"

When someone can perform the rescue himself, he must do so and not leave it to others.

"Or he could hire others to save him and did not save"

If someone cannot rescue a person in danger, he must do his best to find other people who can. If he fails to do so, he violate this mitzvah.

"Or he heard gentiles or informers plotting evil against him or setting a trap for him, and did not inform his friend"

If someone overhears gentiles or informers plotting evil against their friend or setting a trap for them, and they do not inform their friend about it so he can take precautions, they violate the commandment. A person is obligated to inform someone if they know people are trying to harm them.

"Or if he knew of a gentile or oppressor who had a complaint against his friend, and he could appease him on behalf of his friend and remove what was in his heart, but did not appease him"

If a person knows that a gentile or oppressor intends to attack their friend, and they have the ability to appease the attacker and calm him down, they must do so, and if they fail to do so, they violate this mitzvah.

"And all similar matters"

In any other situation where someone could save a person from harm or danger, and they refrain from doing so, they are considered in violation of the commandment: "Do not stand by the blood of your neighbor."

Practical Examples

Warning of Danger of Attack: If you hear that someone is planning to harm another person or you find out about a trap being set for them, you should inform them immediately so that they can take precautions and defend themselves.

Warning of Theft or Property Damage: If you see someone breaking into a person's house or car, you should immediately call the police and inform the owner, so that he can take all possible measures to prevent or mitigate the damage.

First Aid: If you see someone injured in an accident or suffering from a serious wound, you should provide first aid if you know how, or call an ambulance and medical emergency services to assist the injured person as quickly as possible.

Emotional Support in Emergency: If someone is in severe emotional distress or talks about wanting to harm themselves, you should try to engage them in conversation, listen to them with empathy, and encourage them to seek professional help.

Assistance in Case of Fire: If you see a fire breaking out in a house or building and someone is trapped inside, you should immediately call the fire and rescue services and try to help evacuate people who are in danger, if it is safe to do so.

Warning About Spoiled or Dangerous Food: If you know someone is about to consume spoiled or harmful food, you should inform them immediately to prevent them from consuming the food and being harmed.