Teen Lesson 1

Don't Ignore Your Friend's Pain

“Lo Saamod Al Dam Rei’acha”

Last week we discussed avoiding arguing (Machlokes).

STORY
I ran quickly into the bunkhouse; we were having color war skits and I didn’t want to miss a minute. When I got there, I noticed someone’s stuff was all over the floor, having fallen out of its cubby. But I wanted my camera and had no time to waste, so I grabbed it and fled. Late that night, we returned after an exhausting, fun filled evening. I went to put on my pajamas and found them scattered all over the floor. “The nerve!” I thought. “How is it, that with all the girls that come in and out of the bunkhouse all day, no one stopped to pick up my things?!” Wait. I’m remembering now. I did the same thing earlier and now I realize, that was my stuff all over the floor. It was my things that I did not stop to pick up… I realized that just like I would like someone to pick up my things, I need to be more careful with the possessions of others.

Stretch of the Week
At least once this week go out of your way to protect someone’s property from damage.

Points to Ponder
Why do people shy away from helping others in their time of need?
How can we encourage ourselves to protect others and their possessions even when it is difficult?

HALACHA
“The issur of “Lo Saamod Al Dam Rei’acha” prohibits us from standing idly by when a fellow Jew is in danger and we are in a position to save him from that danger. This includes both exerting oneself physically and, when necessary, spending money to save him. If saving the other person will definitely place the rescuer in danger, there is no obligation to save him; when the danger to the rescuer is not certain, opinions differ as to his obligation. According to many opinions, the mitzvah includes doing whatever is possible to save someone’s property. Some also say this mitzvah includes the responsibility to save another Jew from transgressing.”-Taken from The code of Jewish Conduct, Rabbi Yitzchak Silver PG 113.

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