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Avoiding Risky Situations

Question

Where do we derive the obligation to avoid risky situations?

Answer

The verse “Guard yourself and guard your spirit”, “hishamer lecha u-shemor nafshecha” (Deut. 4:9), is cited by Maimonides (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Murder and Protection of Life 11:4) as a source for the commandment to avoid any situation in which there is danger to life.