[Avodah] Torah Study vs. other contributions to soCIETY

[Arie Folger]

Recently the gemara in massekhet Megilah "gadol TT meihatzalat nefashot" was 
repeatedly mentioned as a prescriptive statement regarding to training ahead 
of time. Combining that with the story about the Gra and his father's 
recommendation that the son not study pharmacology, it was suggested that 
while piqua'h nefesh requires even transgressing all kinds of prohibitions to 
save a life, that is only while the emergency is presented before us, 
however, training for healing in piqua'h nefesh situations is to be 
discouraged, as it will result in eventual bittul Torah, behetter, but bittul 
Torah nonetheless.

I don't feel like plunging into this debate, but would like to mention that it 
isn't at all clear that Mordekhai was being censured for his hatzalat 
nafshot 'am Yisrael. I don't quite recall whom I am quoting here, as I am not 
busy with Yevamot and Shavu'ot, but I recall mentioning an opinion that 
Mordekhai was censured not for the hatzalat nefashot, as that was necessary 
and praiseworthy, but for staying on as an imperial advisor after the danger 
had passed. Sure, in his new capacity, Mordekhai might prevent future 
gezeirot, but it was preferable to be beohalah shel Torah rather than become 
a court Jew.

IIRC, this interpretation is also mentioned in the notes of Rebbe Scroll (the 
son Mr. Schottenstein) ;-).

While I admit that the interpretation suggested up until now in this thread 
fits the words of the gemara better, the interpretation I am quoting deals 
with the obvious absurdity of *seeming* to suggest that in the face of 
greatest danger, it would have been better for Mordekhai to abstain from 
getting involved.

Kind regards,
-- 
Arie Folger
http://www.ariefolger.googlepages.com