 |
|
May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
|
| |
Jewish World Review
Sept. 7, 2007
/ 24 Elul, 5767
Equality before the Divine
By
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski
How we assess an individual's value
“You are standing today, all of you, before G-d: the heads of your tribes,
your elders, and your officers—every person of Israel; your small children,
your women and your proselyte who is in the midst of your camp,
from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water.”
— Deut. 29:9-10
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
There was indeed a hierarchy within the Israelite nation — the elders, the
Kohanim (Priests), the Levites, the tribal heads, the judges. But, says
Alshich, here Moses said, ''You are standing before G-d,'' and before G-d
there is no classification. And if there are any people who are special before
G-d, their status may not correspond with that which they enjoy in the world.
The fundamental equality of all can be seen in the Halachah (Jewish Law).
If a person is
threatened that he will be killed unless he kills another person, he is required to
accept martyrdom rather than to kill. The reason the Talmud gives is, ''What makes
you think your blood is redder? Perhaps the blood of the other person (whom you
were ordered to kill) is redder than yours'' (Pesachim 25b). In other words, what
right do you have to suppose that your life is of greater value than his?
What is the Halachah if a leading scholar or philanthropist, who is the pillar of the
community, is ordered, under the threat of death, to kill a person who is a vagrant, a
degenerate who is a burden to the community? The Halachah remains unchanged. He must accept martyrdom rather than kill. But is it not clear that the philanthropic scholar is far superior to the degenerate vagrant, and that his life is of greater value? That is true in the eyes of man, but we have no knowledge of the scale by which G-d evaluates people.
In human terms, there can be superior or inferior. We are finite beings, and we
can see the wide gap between a person of great achievement and one of little, or
even no achievement. But G-d is infinite, and before infinity, a fraction of a millimeter
and a million miles are both equally significant or non-significant.
A community cannot function without various stratifications. There are leaders
and there are followers. There are teachers and there are students. There are donors
and there are recipients. There are providers of services and there are beneficiaries
of services. However, no status of any kind affects the value of a person before G-d.
We are required to emulate G-d's attributes. To us also, the value of life is not
measurable.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
This is of more than academic interest. In the early days when penicillin was a
new discovery, only small amounts of the drug were available. The late great sage, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, was asked, what should a doctor do if he has only a single dose of penicillin and a number of patients who require it? How should he decide to which patient it should be administered?
Rabbi Feinstein answered that he must give it to the first patient he encounters who requires it. He may not judge who is more deserving to be treated. Today, penicillin is in abundance, but livers and kidneys for transplant are not.
Shall the available organs be given to people who are considered to be of the
greatest value to the community? Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies. There may be
medical factors which may enter into a decision, but not considerations of value.
Every human life is of equal value to G-d, and must be so to us.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes inspiring articles. Sign up for our daily update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment by clicking here. Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. is a psychiatrist and ordained rabbi. He is the
founder of the Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, a leading center
for addiction treatment. An Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University
of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, he is a prolific author, with some 30 books to
his credit, including, "Twerski on Chumash" (Bible), from which this was excerpted (Sales of this book help fund JWR).
© 2007, Mesorah Publications, Ltd.
|
