Twice in my life I picked up the phone on Shabbat and made a phone call. The first time was about 15 years ago. The last time was just this past Shabbat. Everyone is familiar with this; you don’t call a religious Jew on Shabbat or other Jewish holidays. Once a week, for twenty four hours, we switch to wireless silence mode. There needs to be a very serious situation in order for a Shabbat observant Jew to use the phone on Shabbat. However even small children in Cheder learn that in case of an emergency one is allowed to break the Shabbat laws in order to help. We also learned in Cheder, that not only is it „allowed“ but it is actually a Mitzva and obligation to do everything possible to help save a life.
For one who is no… Read More »