-----Original Message-----
From: "Rabbi Moshe Goldberger" <RabbiG@torah.org>
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:05:12
To:weeklymitzvah@torah.org
Subject: Weekly Mitzvah - 30: Safety and Prevention
Mitzvos Relating to Our Fellow Man
30: Safety and Prevention
Build a fence for your roof... (Devarim 22:8)
It is a mitzvah to put up a sturdy guardrail at least ten tefachim high
(about forty inches) wherever there is a danger of someone falling. One
also may not keep a dangerous animal in his home (Kesubos 41a).
Checking on safety measures regularly is an ongoing fulfillment of this
mitzvah (Sefer HaMitzvos HaKatzar, aseih 75).
The Sefer HaChinuch explains that although everything is in Hashem's
hands, we are obligated by the Torah to live in a healthy and safe way.
One may not act recklessly and risk danger.
The Rambam calls this section of halachah "The Laws of Murder and Guarding
Oneself" because a lack of safety is a form of carelessness which can lead
to murder, chas veshalom. Just as one is forbidden to murder others, one
may not allow dangers that can lead to people suffering. (See our book
Treat Yourself Right [Targum / Feldheim, 2001] on this topic.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2006 by Rabbi Moshe Goldberger and Torah.org.
The course material is presented by Rabbi Moshe Goldberger, a renowned lecturer and author. A prolific author, he has written books such as "Be a Friend", "Guard Your Anger", "Master Your Thoughts" and more, published by Targum Press (www.targum.com).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To support Project Genesis - Torah.org, go to http://www.torah.org/support/.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join the Jewish Learning Revolution! Torah.org: The Judaism Site brings
this and a host of other classes to you every week. Visit http://torah.org
or email learn@torah.org to get your own free copy of this mailing.
Need to change or stop your subscription? Please visit our subscription
center, http://torah.org/subscribe/ -- see the links on that page.
Permission is granted to redistribute, but please give proper attribution
and copyright to the author and Torah.org. Both the author and Torah.org
reserve certain rights. Email copyrights@torah.org for full information.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Torah.org: The Judaism Site
Project Genesis, Inc. learn@torah.org
122 Slade Avenue, Suite 250 (410) 602-1350
Baltimore, MD 21208 FAX: (410) 510-1053
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
weeklymitzvah, Copyright © 2006 by Torah.org.
Join the Jewish Learning Revolution! Torah.org: The Judaism Site brings
this and a host of other classes to you every week. Visit http://torah.org
or email learn@torah.org to get your own free copy of this mailing.
Project Genesis - Torah.org is a recognized charity and depends upon your
support. Please help us by visiting http://torah.org/support/ for
information on class dedications, memorials, annual giving and more.
Need to change or stop your subscription? Please visit our subscription
center, http://torah.org/subscribe/ -- see the links on that page.
Permission is granted to redistribute, but please give proper attribution
and copyright to the author and Torah.org. Both the author and Torah.org
reserve certain rights. Email copyrights@torah.org for full information.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Torah.org: The Judaism Site
Project Genesis, Inc. learn@torah.org
122 Slade Avenue, Suite 250 (410) 602-1350
Baltimore, MD 21208 FAX: (410) 510-1053
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
