תלמוד בבלי מסכת שבת דף קכט עמוד א
אמר רב חייא בר אבין אמר שמואל: הקיז דם ונצטנן - עושין לו מדורה אפילו בתקופת תמוז. שמואל צלחו ליה תכתקא דשאגא, רב יהודה צלחו ליה פתורא דיונה, לרבה צלחו ליה שרשיפא. ואמר ליה אביי לרבה: והא קעבר מר משום +דברים כ+ בל תשחית! - אמר ליה בל תשחית דגופאי - עדיף לי.
R. Hiyya b. Abin said in Samuel's name: If one lets blood and catches a chill, a fire is made for that person even on the Tammuz [summer] solstice. A teak chair was broken up for Samuel [to warm him]; a table [made] of juniper-wood was broken up for Rab Judah. A footstool was broken up for Rabbah, whereupon Abaye said to Rabbah, But you are infringing, You shall not destroy? 'You shall not destroy' in respect of my own body is more important to me, he retorted. [Soncino translation. Edited for clarity and gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What is the purpose of the fire that is made for someone who let blood? Why does the text specify that the fire is made even on the summer solstice?
2. Why do we even break up a wooden chair to create this fire? Why does Abaye criticize this action? How does Rabbah justify it?
3. What are the parameters of the commandment “You shall not destroy”? Is environmental destruction ever justified?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)