However, these rishonim which hold like Rabbeinu Tam in Tosfos seem to overlook the fact that R’ Chanina’s act of suicide was seen as punishment for his pronouncing the Havayah in public and his entire family is believed to have suffered immensely for that. The Midrash, in Breshis Rabbah 82:8, seems to indicate that suicide is considered unnatural, even when done on behalf of the Torah.
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