Dxlingr asks, "Is there a scripture for that?"
It is probably a matter of interpretation and "commentary" in Torah. In that regard, the "state" becomes involved, and of course the state's loss of manpower impels the government to outlaw suicide.
Perhaps that is why, with the influence of the state supporting Pharisee, while pretending to be strict adherents to Jewish tradition, that sucicide was considered de classe?
The Masada mass suicide was, at the time, reported this way:
The account of the siege of Masada was related to Josephus by two women who survived the suicide by hiding inside a cistern along with five children, and repeated Eleazar ben Ya'ir's exhortations to his followers, prior to the mass suicide, verbatim to the Romans. Because Judaism strongly discourages suicide, Josephus reported that the defenders had drawn lots and killed each other in turn, down to the last man, who would be the only one to actually take his own life.
At that time, obviously, the "real" suicide would only be a "sin" for the leader (the buck stops, here).
Now, these protestors are considered to be Heros to present day Jews, who will fight to the last man (philosophy) to show the same degree of resistance to the invading oppressors.
However, I'm sure they still consider suicide a waste to the state and "illegal" ... want to bet ...?
The state is always after denying you your God given rights, aren't they, the petty tyrannists?
