---
title: Siman 329 – Who are you allowed to rescue
description: "גChelek 3 1. Any danger to life supersedes Shabbos. The quicker you act, the better. (ShA ) 1. If a fire breaks out, extinguish it so it doesn’t spread and endanger the life of those who can't escape. (ShA -…"
url: "https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-329-who-are-you-allowed-to-rescue/"
updated: "2025-12-31"
category: Shvusim and Melachos
---

# Siman 329 – Who are you allowed to rescue

גChelek 3

1. Any danger to life supersedes Shabbos. The quicker you act, the better. (ShA )

1. If a fire breaks out, extinguish it so it doesn’t spread and endanger the life of those who can't escape. (ShA  - MB )

1. If you saw a person go to an area that was struck by a landslide, break Shabbos to save him. This is true even if he may have already escaped - he might not be Jewish and he might be dead already. (ShA  - MB )

1. Certain people are considered dead already and are not allowed to be saved through breaking Shabbos. E.g. A person attempting to rob a house in a case that you are allowed to kill him. Another case is a mumar l’hachis. (MB )

1. Be mechallel Shabbos to prolong a Jew’s life for even one more moment. Examples: Crushed by an avalanche. Barely alive on his deathbed. (ShA )

1. We are obligated to push away all of the mitzvos to preserve a Jewish life regardless of future mitzva performance. Therefore we save a Jewish child who will not live until bar mitzva. We even save a deaf-mute and the mentally insane even though they are exempt from mitzvos. (BeH “ella”)

1. Rescue a Jew in danger even on Shabbos. This can include a capsized ship, flooding river, and a victim of attempted murder. However, if there is any real doubt about endangering your own life, do not attempt the rescue. Your life comes before your fellow’s life. (ShA  - MB )

1. Chazal allow a rescuer to return home carrying his rescue tools in order not to discourage him from Shabbos rescues in the future. (ShA  - MB )

## Key

**ShA**
 : Shulchan Aruch

**MB**
 : Mishna Berura

**ShaH**
 : Shaar Hatsiun

**ShaT**
 : Shaaray Teshuva

**BeH**
 : Beur Halacha

**BaH**
 : Baer Haytayv

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