What does it mean to "not stand against the blood of your neighbor" as mentioned in Leviticus 19:16?

Answer From The Annual Reading Schedule - Week 27 Notes For Leviticus: In context, it could mean that you shouldn't slander or falsely accuse someone especially in the context of a court system where you act as a false witness to cause them to receive the death penalty. Standing against their blood might also, possibly, be interpreted as standing by idly while your neighbor is being attacked and permitting them to be murdered without jumping in to try and help rescue them. However, I'm not 100% certain that was an additional meaning when this command was given or not; but the idea certainly makes sense in my mind when looking at it from that perspective.

Yahushua taught we are to turn the other cheek (Lamentations 3:30, Matthew 5:39, Luke 6:29) if someone hits us, but I don't think that means to let someone who is violent do whatever they want to anyone and everyone in all situations. I think there could be exceptions to that, especially if the violence being done has nothing to do with our belief in Yahushua but rather is just a random act of violence by someone for other motives. I believe there may be some situations where we should act and take necessary actions to prevent murder or death from occurring.

However, we can't just jump into a fight any and everywhere. We have to know why people are fighting and who is involved to an extent. For example: If you were walking in an unknown neighborhood that you weren't familiar with and came across two groups of people shooting at each other, you don't really know why they are doing it or who the people are, so how can you intervene? What if one side are undercover police officers or something? The details in a situation matter as to if we get involved or not. We need discernment and Yahweh's Spirit to guide us to make the right decisions.

Also, someone being victimized is a lot different than two people duking it out voluntarily just because they're angry at each other. I would say in the case of two people fighting just because they're angry at each other, don't get involved unless it looks like one side might kill the other. When I say, "duking it out" – that implies a fist fight – not a fight with weapons. When I say, "voluntarily" that means both or either side could have walked away from each other peacefully, but they chose they wanted to fight.

Proverbs 26:17 teaches us to avoid getting involved in things we shouldn't get in the middle of: "A passer-by meddling in a strife not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears."

Instead of getting involved, call the police in hopes that they get there quick enough to break up the fight before it could escalate. However, if one person is robbing another, the person being robbed struggles with the robber and then the robber begins punching the person, you may need to step in. Such situations can quickly lead to a murder if a knife is pulled out and the victim needs to be rescued before it gets worse. If they didn't voluntarily enter into the fight, then we should help them get out of it if they are being victimized. Yes – they should have probably just given up whatever the robber wanted, but if it turns violent because they refuse to, we should come to their rescue.

This may even be true in group situations. If we come across a group of people jumping one individual, we may need to take action.

However, if you find yourself in that situation and you are a woman or are too afraid or feel like you are outnumbered or can't do anything to help, you can at least pray and call the police. But I do know of someone who was being jumped and while his friend with him did nothing, some stranger stopped their car, got out, and threw in a few punches to get the guys off of him. Who knows if that act of a stranger being brave may have saved his life.

I also know of a robbery gone bad where someone tried resisting the robber. After a struggle, the person being robbed was brutally punched, stabbed, and ultimately murdered. As they were being attacked, witnesses say they cried for help but those around did nothing. So for men in particular, I encourage you to pray to Yahweh for guidance in advance so that when you get into those situations you are ready to respond. I also have heard of another story where a few military men off duty were in a place where someone was going to open fire and they ended up stopping the guy after a few people were injured and saving a bunch of lives because they responded quickly when the violence began. Their act of bravery seems to have saved a lot of lives. I pray that I never get in those situations at all, but I am hoping if I do I will be prepared in whatever ways I need to be and do whatever Yahweh wants of me. I pray Yahweh cover me in the shadow of His wings and keep me away from all violence.