For the source text click/tap here: Bava Metzia 62
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The Gemara asks: And Rabbi Yoḥanan, what does he do with this verse: “And your brother shall live with you”?
The Gemara answers: He requires the verse for that which is taught in a baraita: If twopeople were walking on a desolate path and there was a jug [kiton] of water in the possession of one of them, and the situation was such that if both drink from the jug, both will die, as there is not enough water, but if only one of them drinks, he will reach a settled area, there is a dispute as to the halakha.
Ben Petora taught: It is preferable that both of them drink and die, and let neither one of them see the death of the other. This was the accepted opinion until Rabbi Akiva came and taught that the verse states: “And your brother shall live with you,” indicating that your life takes precedence over the life of the other.
We explore the balance between loving one’s neighbor and self preservation in Halacha.