Rabbi 360

There is a pretty clear reason from our tradition as to why we as Jews should be rising up and opposing much of what the Trump Administration is doing right now. And while there are a number of principles that can guide us at this moment–creating peace, pursuing justice, welcoming the stranger–the high value that Judaism places on pikuach nefesh, saving a life, seems to rise above in importance.

This value comes directly from the Torah, from Leviticus 18:5, which reads, “You shall keep My laws and My rules, by the pursuit of them human beings shall live, I am Adonai.” In other words, the mitzvot, the commandments, are meant to support life. “You shall live by them,” i.e., not die from them, and any time the performance of a mitzvah would inflict physical harm, it is to be abrogated. Observing Jewish practice and spirituality must be life-affirming.

So if one can not fast for whatever reason on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, then they should not. Indeed, it is an obligation to eat. If one must seek medical attention on Shabbat, then they must violate the day of rest to do so. If one is threatened with harm if they refuse a ham sandwich, then you are supposed to eat the ham sandwich.

And the value of pikuach nefesh transcends these specific scenarios to be a guidepost for all of our decisions. An ethical Jewish action is one that supports life, not diminishes it.

How does this pertain to this political moment? Because so much of what the Trump administration is proposing violates this precept and is against the preservation of life. People are going to die because of these actions. Some of the things we have seen or read recently that the Trump administration is moving to do:

Halting HIV drug distribution in poor countries. The result of this? People are going to die.

Threatening to withhold federal funds for hospitals and clinics that provide gender-affirming care? People are going to die.

Stopping funding for mine clearing in Vietnam? People are going to die.

Curbing access to reproductive health care? People are going to die.

Pulling out of the World Health Organization? People are going to die.

Silencing federal agencies from sharing health information, especially as it pertains to sexuality, gender and race? People are going to die.

Stripping the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to enforce regulations? People are going to die.

Putting an anti-vaxxer in charge of health agencies? People are going to die.

Cutting off foreign aid through USAID and other support organizations? People are going to die.

Allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to carry out actions in hospitals? People are going to die.

If we truly believe in the value of life, if we uphold pikuach nefesh as a fundamental value, then we as Jews need to resist and fight these executive actions. They have the potential to cause real harm, and even loss of life. We are told to “choose life” in the Torah (Deuteronomy 30:19)—our fundamental orientation should be towards the perseveration of life, both our own and our neighbor’s. Every action, every choice, should be with this in mind.

Sometimes it will come down between our own personal health and our own spiritual observance. And sometimes it will be when society and governments are introducing sweeping changes that would harm the health of many. And when this happens, like eating on Yom Kippur, it becomes our obligation to make a different choice.