Pikkuʾaḥ nefesh

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Pikkuʾaḥ nefesh (Heb., ‘regard for human life’). The Jewish obligation to save human life in situations of danger, if necessary overriding the law. According to the Talmud, pikkuʾaḥ nefesh supersedes even Sabbath law (Yoma 85a). The principle is derived from the commandment in Leviticus 19. 16.