R. Ishmael, R. Akiba and R. Eleazar b. Azariah were once on a journey, with Levi ha-Saddar and R. Ishmael son of R. Eleazar b. Azariah following after them. Then this question was asked of them: Whence do we know that in the case of danger to human life the laws of the Sabbath are suspended? -- R. Ishmael answered and said: If a thief be found breaking in. Now if in the case of this one it is doubtful whether he has come to take money or life; and although the shedding of blood pollutes the land, so that the Shekhinah departs from Israel, yet it is lawful to save oneself at the cost of his life -- how much more may we suspend the laws of the Sabbath to save human life!