Immoral Detour

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Published: May 12, 2007

Visitor Comments: 11

(11) Rani, May 30, 2007 9:56 PM

not so fast

I agree that driving a vehicle is not good for one's character development however I wish to share a story of my own. A few months ago I was driving along a very busy road when suddenly I noticed a man lying on the shoulder not moving at all just like a doll. Did I stop and pull over? By the time my brain had processed what I just saw because the last place you expect to see someone lying in inches away from fast moving traffic I had already passed him by. I did have to turn around to make sure I saw correctly but we're talking about 1 1/2 minutes; no more that people were passing Mr. Yisraeli so I wouldn't be so quick to judge although I have not seen the video.

(10) Betti Miner, May 26, 2007 4:20 PM

I am shocked

When I saw the video of that poor man laying in the middle of the street next to his crushed motorcycle, I was appalled at the callousness that was shown him. Here in the US, we stop and see if the person needs help. Had someone stopped, that man would have survived instead of bleeding to death in the middle of an Israel street. Did no one contact Magain David Adom? I have seen them help someone even on the Sabbath when I was in Jerusalem. Did people ignore him because he was a stranger? We Jews have to help everyone whether they are Gentile or Muslim. What is HaShem thinking of His people?

(9) Margarita, May 23, 2007 6:51 AM

Thank you

Thank you, I agree 100%. One sad thing in the whole story for me - I know that Jews are very helpful. It is unheard of... but let's not make it as a question why and how. Let's just slow down and help each other

(8) Connie Ann, May 16, 2007 12:21 PM

I CARE I will stop always

I would have stopped for sure..I am not in a hurry when I can HELP somebody

(7) Me, May 15, 2007 5:07 PM

!!!

Be careful about what is said about Eretz Yisroel (Israel) - Eretz Ha'Kadosh (the Holy land). Even if the Bais HaMikdash (Holy temple) isn't standing today, take care not to speak Lashon Hara (evil gossip) about Hashem's (G-d's) special place!

(6) leah amndur, May 15, 2007 11:28 AM

Immoral detour

The van drivers in Israel take children to school without seeing that they are wearing safety belts. The melavot who take special needs chidlren to school don't put safety belts on them. Israelis have no sense of safety and these drivers are criminals. Trying getting the police involved. I am fighting a big battle agaist them. I am not surprised about the immoral detour. Israelis have a very bad road safety record.

(5) Ross, May 15, 2007 8:15 AM

Who says they didn't care?!

I believe my fellow Jews, at the point each one of them saw the man in the road, picked up their cell phones and urgently dialed for help. Not being a doctor and being afraid to park in the middle of traffic, each said a silent prayer as they passed. Then later they went home and agonized about if anything could've been done differently. Call me naive, but isn't this truly how we are supposed to think??

(4) Rosen, May 14, 2007 8:40 PM

Defensive Driving

It's important to drive defensively and smart by being mindful of other motorists out there. Automobiles, among other things, are highly complex, maneauvering pieces of machinery. Anything could happen any second while driving, so the least one could do is be a safe driver one his/her own. And, when police cruisers pull over citizens for any incidental driving, it is important to pay off the traffic ticket or show up to traffic court, as "there is no stopping city hall", which is a system that has been around long before the Internet (telecommuting to work can be helpful to avoid traffic and driving nightmares). All in all, it is best to drive smart, defensively, and tactfully.

(3) Mordechai, May 14, 2007 12:14 PM

Do Not Stand Idly by the Blood of Your Neighbor

With all due respect, I think the main message is how low Israeli society has sunk to. Unfortunately, Jewish values have not been taught sufficiently. Anyone who learns the Torah knows of the prohibition of standing idly by the blood of one's neighbor,(Leviticus 19:16) which means not coming to their help. I saw the video and the cars were going slow. People could have stopped to lend a hand. There was even a point where no cars were moving when the lights changed, but still no one lifted a finger. What a chillul Hashem (desecration of G-d's Name)this is. We are supposed to be a "light unto the nations" but with behavior such as this, those Israelis (read: Jews) have tarnished our reputation for being merciful and full of chesed (kindness). This is defintely a wake-up call to Jews to get back to Torah.

(2) A, May 14, 2007 9:14 AM

oh yes... do watch out

you/me could be next
needing help
and no one stopping to help
how sad
how sick

(1) Anonymous, May 13, 2007 12:50 PM

you sound like my husband

My husband has the same compaint, especially in Brooklyn-drivers don't have derech eretz (common courtesy).

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

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Immoral Detour

Would you swerve around a dying man?

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