Pikuach Nefesh (saving a life) – the act of saving human life overrides all other religious laws because it is of the highest importance in any situation

(Pronounced pik-yoo-ak neff-esh)

To remember the meaning of Pikuach Nefash in Judaism, use the following mnemonic:

The picture you acquired showed fishermen netting lots of fresh (Pikuach Nefesh) fish. Catching the fish saved the village people's lives.  

Pikuach nefesh is a belief in the sanctity of life – that life is holy and belongs to the Creator, which means only He can give it or take it away.

This means that all Jews believe they have a duty to save a person’s life if possible, even if it means breaking another mitzvah (one of the many commandments or laws of Judaism).

A doctor may break the law of not working on the Sabbath to save a person’s life, and food that is not kosher may be eaten if it's the only way to survive.

This concept of the sanctity of life means action should never be taken to speed up a person’s natural death.