Life on Earth (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

The nature & importance of Pikuach Nefesh

What is Pikuach Nefesh?

• Pikuach Nefesh means “saving a life” (or preserving human life) and is treated as a central ethical principle in Jewish law

  • The idea is that human life is sacred because humans are created in the image of God and life has overriding value

  • This principle states that almost all other religious duties (mitzvot) may be set aside if fulfilling them would endanger life

  • Classic texts say: one “lives by the commandments and not dies by them” when life is at risk

• The teaching states that if a person’s life is in danger, even major observances such as the Shabbat may be broken

  • For example, a sick person may be exempt from fasting on Yom Kippur if the fast would harm their health

  • Eating non-kosher food may be permitted if it is necessary to save a life

  • Organ donation and other medical interventions can be seen as acts of Pikuach Nefesh, as long as they do not put the donor’s life at serious risk

• However, there are some exceptions even to this principle: When the conflict is with the most serious prohibitions (idolatry, forbidden sexual relations or murder), the rule does not allow breaking those to save a life

Why is Pikuach Nefesh important in Judaism?

• Pikuach Nefesh is important to Jews for many reasons

  • It shows that ethical responsibility to preserve life is central to Judaism’s moral outlook

  • It also demonstrates how Jewish law (halakhah) is flexible and that rules exist not to cause harm but to promote life; when literal observance threatens life, the rules can adapt

  • It encourages Jews to value life above ritual correctness and to act compassionately towards others

  • It has an impact on modern issues, such as:

    • Medical ethics

    • Healthcare decisions

    • End-of-life issues

    • Mental healthcare

    • Organ donation

    • Emergency responses

  • It reinforces the idea that human life has intrinsic value and that the community has a duty to act to protect life

The mitzvot

How do the mitzvot affect Jewish life?

• The Torah contains 613 laws, known as the mitzvot

  • There are 248 positive mitzvot, which explain what Jews should do

    • These rules are known as mitzvot aseh

  • There are 365 negative mitzvot, which explain what Jews should not do

    • These rules are known as mitzvot ta’aseh

• The mitzvot guide beliefs, behaviour and identity for Jewish people

• Many Jews see keeping the mitzvot as part of their covenant with God

• There are many different areas of Jewish life that are affected by the mitzvot

  • The mitzvot affect the ways that Jews worship and practice, including:

    • Daily prayers

    • Observing Shabbat as a day of rest

    • Following festival rules (Passover, Rosh Hashanah, etc.)

    • Studying the Torah as a sacred duty

  • The mitzvot provide rules that guide behaviour

    • There are rules about honesty, charity (tzedakah) and caring for the poor

    • There are also rules relating to respecting parents and preserving life

    • Other rules provide guidance on pursuing justice and fairness in society

  • Food laws are important for many Jews, and the mitzvot guide people on these matters

    • They provide guidance on what food is kosher

    • They identify which foods are forbidden (pork, shellfish, etc.)

    • They also give advice on the separation of meat and dairy

  • The mitzvot guide family and relationships

    • They highlight that marriage and family life are seen as sacred

    • They also give guidance on important rituals such as Brit Milah 

    • They also encourage respectful behaviour between spouses

  • Some Jews are guided by the mitzvot about clothing and how to conduct themselves

    • For example, some Jewish men wear a kippah or a tallit

    • The mitzvot influence Jews with respect to tzniut

    • They might also promote ethical business behaviour

Freewill

Why is free will important in Judaism?

• Many Jews believe that God gives humans free will

  • This means people can choose how to act: to obey God’s laws or to ignore them

  • However, choices have real consequences, and God judges people based on how they use their freedom

• Free will is important in Judaism for many reasons

  • It allows humans to take responsibility

  • It makes moral choices meaningful

  • It explains reward and punishment

  • It shows that God is just

• Jews believe that free will is connected to the mitzvot given by God

  • Jewish teaching states that God gave the commandments (mitzvot) to guide moral living

  • God also gives humans the free will to choose to follow them

  • If Jews follow the mitzvot, there are positive consequences for individuals and the world

    • Following mitzvot means they help repair the world (tikkun olam)

    • It maintains a good relationship with God (covenant)

  • However, if Jews break the mitzvot, it leads to negative consequences

    • They must make things right (teshuvah — repentance)

    • It can harm the world and the humans within it

    • It will affect God’s judgment when the person dies

• Jews believe that God records good and bad actions

  • Individuals are judged at Rosh Hashanah

  • This allows time for change before Yom Kippur

  • Free will means people are accountable for how they treat others and how they honour God