Pikuach nefesh

Common card · No. 312104

Pikuach nefesh (Hebrew: פיקוח נפש), which means 'saving a soul' or 'saving a life', is the principle in Halakha (Jewish law) that the preservation of human life overrides virtually any other religious rule of Judaism. In the event that a person is in critical danger, most mitzvot become inapplicable if they would hinder the ability to save oneself or someone else.