Is It Allowed to Kill a Pursuer?
The Obligation to protect human life
The prohibition of murder and injury
Protect life, for this is the greatest gift that man has received from G-d. Protecting life is so important that Jews may set aside Sabbath rest if by doing so they save a life.
If someone pursues another with the intention of killing that person, it is an obligation to save the one being pursued.
It is not allowed to kill the pursuer if there is a possibility to stop him in another way. If this happens, the person who killed the pursuer has become a murderer. One should, whenever possible, use an alternative so that the pursuer can be tried for his actions.
However, if this is not possible, it is obligatory to kill the pursuer so that it is prevented from killing the deemed pursuer.
Noahides are obligated to follow rules and laws that are logical, such as honoring parents and giving to charities. This includes the rule of defending the life of a deemed pursuer.
For this should be a civilized world, and it is expected that each group will to try to save itself from its attackers.
Defend life.
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners en intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
The Divine Code
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