שולחן ערוך יורה דעה הלכות ביקור חולים ורפואה ונוטה למות וגוסס סימן שלו סעיף א
נתנה התורה רשות לרופא לרפאות ומצוה היא. ובכלל פיקוח נפש הוא. ואם מונע עצמו, הרי זה שופך דמים.
The Torah gave permission to the doctor to heal, and it is even a commandment. Even more so, it is [the commandment] of saving a life. One who prevents oneself from doing so is considered to have shed blood. [Translation by Rabbi Charles Sheer. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. In what ways does our medical system today reflect this statement? In what ways have we failed to live up to these expectations?
2. Is this law confined only to medicine? In what other ways do we neglect to save lives?
Time Period: Modern (Spinoza through post-WWII)