"Ki HaDam Hu Yachanif Es HaAretz" (Masei 35:33). The Torah tells us that murder is "chanifa" for the land. Chanifa usually means flattery. "How," asks Rav Moshe Feinstein, "is murder flattery for the land?"
He answers that murder is not accepted by any society. However, the reason for this varies greatly from the Torah's reasoning. Murder is outlawed because it would destroy civilization. The Mishna in Pirkei Avos says that we must thank the rule of law, for without proper policing, each man would swallow his neighbor.
There are some ramifications for this approach. For example, murder is condoned and even lauded if it will make the world a better place. This is the justification for horrific wars. On the other hand, there is little respect for "Chayei Sha'a" the life of someone terminally ill or doomed to die. Similarly, the lives of elderly people are not as important, as they have already finished contributing to society. Not so the Torah, which values the essence of life itself, not withstanding the person's value to civilization.
Someone can only murder after reaching the conclusion that the world needs to, for whatever reason, rid itself of his victim. This is in essence saying that man is only here to serve the world, instead of vice versa. Murder is the ultimate flattery of the world. Hashem tells us, "Do not murder, and do not flatter the world." Human life is what should be respected and flattered. Value the elderly and infirm, and respect even a few sacred moments of life.
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