[Avodah] train switch conundrum

Micha Berger micha at aishdas.org
Thu Oct 15 06:36:36 PDT 2009


On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 08:32:57AM -0400, Rich, Joel wrote:
: However, in Nefesh Hachayim he posits a mitzvah of hatzalat kol
: Yisrael. Perhaps (my idea-not seen in any authoritative source) there we
: might posit a difference of the "tzibbur" being more than the sum of its
: parts (and perhaps this is why "hilchot milchama" differ-although I always
: assumed that also came from the power of the king vs. "pure halacha")

So perhaps if deciding who to save had military outcome, then the poor
poseiq who has do decide this question would tell you to listen to the
generals.

In terms of the original question, the train switch, this concept would
clearly indicate letting 5 die rather than actively kill one.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             A person must be very patient
micha at aishdas.org        even with himself.
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