I always appreciate feedback from Torah Minute readers.
And quiet a few were inspired by the stories about Rabbi Manis Mandel.
… The world is very far from the ideals of Rabbi Mandel.
In some very obvious ways.
Like terrorism, violence and just plain lack of respect.
And the next day, my wife told me about a news story that really disturbed her.
It really disturbed me as well.
It was about permitting euthanasia for seriously disabled newborn babies!
About killing them.
“To spare parents the emotional burden and financial hardship of bringing them up”.
Was this from some “way out fringe group”?
Or from a “third world country that doesn’t share our values”?
Maybe China?
No.
It was the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecology of Britain!
One of England’s leading medical colleges!
Many doctors and medical ethicists support the idea.
And some did oppose it.
A prominent children’s doctor called it “social engineering”.
Another said, “Intentional killing is not part of medical care”.
That also disturbed me.
Because no one seemed outraged.
And no one expressed the Jewish response.
The most important thing that Judaism has taught the world.
That all human life is sacred because every human being is created in the Image of G-d.
… When we hear about an idea like this? In one of the most advanced countries in the world?
It chips away at our values.
And it’s especially important that we remember people like Rabbi Mandel.
Remember how deeply he internalized the teachings of the Torah
We need to reinforce our respect for all human beings.
And to really go out of our way to be even more sensitive to everyone we meet!
… There’s an added reason that my wife was so disturbed by this story.
She went to Rabbi Mandel’s Yeshiva!
All the best,