The 100 Lives Initiative

In the Name of God To the Honorable Rabbis of the SHEILOT website, shlita Subject: Urgent Call to Support the "100 Lives Initiative" – Saving Lives on Israel's Roads by the Commandment "And you shall greatly guard your souls" Shalom and blessings to the honorable Rabbi, We reach out to you today with deep concern and genuine anxiety in the face of the deadly epidemic raging on the roads of our country – traffic accidents. Every year, we lose hundreds of our brothers and sisters, entire worlds destroyed in disasters, a significant portion of which can be prevented. The data cries out to the heavens: an average of about 400 fatalities per year, and the year 2024 is shaping up to be particularly deadly with over 430 fatalities. Official sources even warn that we are on the path to crossing the dreadful threshold of 500 fatalities per year, God forbid. In the face of this harsh reality, we are confronted not only with a safety and transportation problem but with a moral and halachic obligation of the highest order – the duty to save lives, pikuach nefesh, which overrides almost every other commandment. Our sages taught us that "whoever saves one soul from Israel, it is as if he saved an entire world," and here we are given the opportunity, and indeed the obligation, to prevent the loss of many worlds. Research and technology show that a significant portion of accidents, particularly those leading to the deaths of about 100 people annually, are caused by common human errors – distraction, failure to maintain distance, fatigue, lane deviation – errors that can be prevented or significantly reduced through existing technological systems. The "100 Lives Initiative" seeks to harness this technology – advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) – as a practical tool for immediate life-saving. These systems, such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and correction (LDW/LKA), and blind spot monitoring (BSM), act as a kind of "additional guardian" in the vehicle, helping the driver avoid dangerous situations and actively intervening to prevent an accident. They do not replace the driver's responsibility but provide a critical safety net in moments of inattention or misjudgment. The holy Torah commands us, "When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you do not bring blood upon your house if anyone falls from it" (Deuteronomy 22:8). From here we learn the obligation to remove obstacles and take active precautions to prevent foreseeable danger. A vehicle moving on the roads, especially a heavy or old vehicle without modern safety systems, is like "a roof without a parapet," a potential disaster requiring the installation of a technological "parapet" to prevent the fall. We are not permitted to stand idly by, as the scripture says, "Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor" (Leviticus 19:16). We believe that the state has an urgent obligation to act to mandate the installation of essential ADAS systems in all vehicles moving on Israel's roads, providing assistance and subsidies for those who cannot afford it, to prevent the creation of a safety gap based on economic background. The required investment in this process, even if it seems large, pales in comparison to the value of human life and the enormous economic damage (estimated at billions of shekels annually) caused to the economy as a result of accidents. Honorable Rabbi, your voice and Torah authority are of utmost importance in mobilizing the general public and appealing to decision-makers to act on this critical issue of pikuach nefesh. Silence and complacency in the face of clear danger and available solutions are not the way of the Torah. We appeal to you to consider these matters and, if you see fit, to support the "100 Lives Initiative" and raise a call to action: To raise awareness of the severity of the situation and the obligation to act in sermons and lessons. To call on the public to sign petitions and approach elected officials with demands for appropriate legislation. To publicly support the initiative and the urgent need to adopt technological solutions to save lives. Any effort on your part can tip the scales and, with God's help, lead to the saving of entire worlds every year. We would be happy to be at your disposal for any questions, to present the data and the plan in detail, and to receive your blessing and guidance. With great respect and appreciation, Yosef Menachem Saida

Response from our teacher, the Gaon, Rabbi A. Fried, shlita: 

Everyone is obligated to ensure that there is no harm, and one can come to the rabbi to discuss this during the reception hours from 22:00 to 24:00