>>Yep, the only commandments you cannot break to save a life are the prohibitions on murder, idolatry and adultery. All the others are fair game. And the injunction to save lives is a positive one. So, for example, if fasting on Yom Kippur would make you ill, you not only may eat, but you _must_ eat. If someone needs to be taken to a hospital on the Sabbath or another holy day, you must do so. And so on.
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>>In many ways, Judaism is a very pragmatic religion.
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>>Tamar
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>I'm curious Tamar, in respect of the examples you give above which of the five major religions do not say the same? iow, what would make one more "pragmatic" than another?

Well, I'm not an expert on any other religion (and for that matter, not really an expert, though knowledgeable, on Judaism), but here's an example.

There was a story in the news last year about a conflict in the Catholic church over communion wafers for people who are gluten-allergic (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5762478/?GT1=4529). The same article says that the "non-alcoholic wine" offered alcoholics for communion actually does contain some alcohol.

In Judaism, while we don't have communion, there'd be no question and no issue on this. For example, there is a positive commandment to eat matzo on Passover, but someone who is gluten-allergic would not only not be asked to do so, but prohibited from eating it, since it would be hazardous to their health.

The whole question of birth control falls into this category, too. While Judaism recognizes a mandate to reproduce, it also permits birth control and sterilization for health reasons (including mental health).

Tamar