Desecrating Shabbat or Desecrating Yom Tov?

Question

A Yom Tov that falls on Erev Shabbat: a person knows that if he does not commit a desecration of Shabbat on one of the upcoming days he will be in danger, such as if he is in a city that he knows terrorists will enter today or tomorrow. Should he desecrate Yom Tov on the principle of choosing the lesser prohibition, or since he is not in danger right now, should he wait until Shabbat?

Answer

Since right now he is not in danger, he may not desecrate Yom Tov. Tomorrow, when he will be in danger, it will be permitted for him, for this is not considered a desecration of Shabbat.

Source

See Biur Halachah, siman 344, s.v. “metzumtzeemet.”

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