GEN698 Judaism teaches that man has duties to himself as well as to others. Man is directed to provide for his own needs, to keep himself in good health physically and mentally, and to seek medical aid when ill. He is also forbidden to harm himself and certainly to take his own life. [this verse]. But man is also commanded to love his fellow man as himself, to respect his person and property, to aid him in need, and to rescue him when he is in danger. This last duty is based upon the command, “Thou shalt not stand idly by the blood of thy fellow,” Leviticus 19:16, Sanhedrin 73a which according to the Talmud means that if you see someone drowning or being attacked by wild beasts or by robbers, you are obliged to go to his rescue. Whatever effort is needed to rescue the individual, including the hiring of help, is included in the obligation. There are some authorities who rule that even if a person has to give away all of his fortune to save the life of another, he is obliged to do so. If his efforts succeed, he may, of course, claim compensation from the person he saved.  See the very comprehensive discussion by Rabbi B. Wein, “Aspects of the Prohibition of Standing Idly by the Blood of Thy Neighbor,” Hadarom 33 (Nisan 5731).  SPERO 218