Gun Violence Prevention - Get Involved - Agudas Achim of Northern Virginia

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Gun Violence Prevention - Get Involved

Jewish tradition emphasizes the sanctity and primary value of human life. One of the most basic principles in Jewish law, pikuach nefesh, is that preserving human life supersedes nearly all other commandments. Any mitzvot can be broken to save the life of a human being.

Torah commands us: "Thou shalt not murder" (Exodus 20:13). Scripture encourages peaceful pursuit of our mutual welfare. Isaiah exhorts the people of the earth to "beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks" (Isaiah 2:4).

The Talmud teaches us: "He who takes one life it is as though he has destroyed the universe and he who saves one life it is as though he has saved the universe" (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5).

The Mishnah talks of tikkun olam, repairing the world. Surely preventing the deaths of human beings from gun violence must be considered in our social policy for “insuring a safeguard to those who may be at a disadvantage.”