These days we are engaged in a national debate on whether the government has the right to order citizens to wear masks to protect others, and themselves, from the spread of the Coronavirus. Many public health officers, government officials, politicians and citizens feel that such behavior is essential to bring the virus infection under control. Others feel that such a mandate is a violation of their civil rights and each individual should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to wear a mask or not.
Our Torah addressed this same issue almost 2,500 years ago. In this week’s Torah portion we read, “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone should fall from it.” (Deuteronomy 22:8)
Sforno (Italy, mid-15th through mid 16th centuries) commenting on this verse, writes that one must take measures to make sure they are not even the indirect cause of harm to someone else. If we do not do so, we “might bear part of the guilt for such a mishap.”
The Talmud takes this even further, arguing that we must remove anything that may cause serious injury or death of another.
Thus our Torah teaches us that we are responsible for the safety of our fellows. Collective responsibility is a primary Jewish value: “All Israel is responsible, each for the other.” (Talmud, Shevut 39a)
Taking reasonable steps to protect our fellow citizens from danger, infection and death would not only be endorsed by our Sages of Blessed Memory… they would have demanded it.
Ki Teitzei, Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 – Parshat Ha Shavua for Shabbat, Saturday, August 22, 2020
August 28, 2020 by Dean Kertesz •
What is our responsibility to others?
These days we are engaged in a national debate on whether the government has the right to order citizens to wear masks to protect others, and themselves, from the spread of the Coronavirus. Many public health officers, government officials, politicians and citizens feel that such behavior is essential to bring the virus infection under control. Others feel that such a mandate is a violation of their civil rights and each individual should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to wear a mask or not.
Our Torah addressed this same issue almost 2,500 years ago. In this week’s Torah portion we read, “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone should fall from it.” (Deuteronomy 22:8)
Sforno (Italy, mid-15th through mid 16th centuries) commenting on this verse, writes that one must take measures to make sure they are not even the indirect cause of harm to someone else. If we do not do so, we “might bear part of the guilt for such a mishap.”
The Talmud takes this even further, arguing that we must remove anything that may cause serious injury or death of another.
Thus our Torah teaches us that we are responsible for the safety of our fellows. Collective responsibility is a primary Jewish value: “All Israel is responsible, each for the other.” (Talmud, Shevut 39a)
Taking reasonable steps to protect our fellow citizens from danger, infection and death would not only be endorsed by our Sages of Blessed Memory… they would have demanded it.
Let’s do our part to keep everyone safe.