[Mrs. Don-o]

In Orthodox Judaism, only three of the commandments necessarily require "yehareg ve'al ya'avor," meaning 'One should let himself be killed rather than violate this commandment', and they are the commandments against killing the innocent, idol-worship, and prohibited intercourse.

Hmm. I remember years and years ago, when I was a teenager, having a discussion about whether you could tell a lie, for instance, to save hidden Jews from the Nazis (the answer was Yes) or if a starving man could steal food from a store (again, Yes.) So I asked my teacher ---a good man, educated way, way beyond his pay grade--- if there was any action you could never, ever do, even to save your own life or the life of others, and he answered without hesitation: Murder, Blasphemy, Sodomy.

[little jeremiah]

Thanks for the ping. Very, very interesting.

[Alexander Rubin]

Hrmmm...Although I'm of the conservative denomination, I think I recall learning the same thing back in congregational school.

It's fascinating, really, but it gets to the heart of the Judeo-Christian ethic.

Love and protect life, value purity and love the Lord our G-d, who is one.