“The care provided to the wounded must not be interrupted,” said Chief Rabbi David Lau
Israel’s chief rabbi, David Lau, today officially authorized Israeli Jewish rescue teams deployed in Turkey to deviate from their weekly Sabbath rest to continue their operations helping survivors of Monday’s earthquake.
“As long as there is hope of saving lives and finding survivors, operations must continue,” writes David Lau in his letter to the civilian and military heads of Israeli rescue teams in eastern Turkey.
“The care provided to the wounded must not be interrupted,” adds the chief rabbi.
During Shabbat (the Jewish weekly rest that begins Friday at sundown and lasts until Saturday night), all work is forbidden according to Jewish tradition, except that which can save human life, a basic principle of Judaism which prioritizes the protection of life above anything forbidden.
Monday’s earthquake killed more than 23,000 people in Turkey and Syria, countries with which Israel is still officially at war.
Since Monday, several hundred Israeli rescuers, doctors and nurses have been sent to Turkey to help with rescue searches and care for earthquake survivors.
Israel and Turkey, a Muslim country, fully restored diplomatic relations in January after years of tensions.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
