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Oilwellian

(12,647 posts)
Fri Nov 8, 2013, 10:18 PM Nov 2013

A Perfect Demonstration of Human Empathy

When Isaac Theil let a sleepy stranger take a little catnap on his shoulder, it was because "I simply remembered the times my own head would bop on someone’s shoulder because I was so tired after a long day," he recounted to Tova Ross of Tablet Magazine.

Another subway rider was so struck by Theil's nonchalant empathy that he snapped a picture and put it on Reddit, from which it was then posted to Facebook by Charidy.

Redditor Braffination wrote, "Heading home on the Q train yesterday when this young black guy nods off on the shoulder of a Jewish man. The man doesn't move a muscle, just lets him stay there. After a minute, I asked the man if he wanted me to wake the kid up, but he shook his head and responded, 'He must have had a long day, let him sleep. We've all been there, right?'"

(snip)
Rabbi Bradley Hirschfield, president of The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, was moved by Theil's recollection of his own fatigue as an explanation for his kindness, and told The Huffington Post that it was a perfect demonstration of human empathy. Hirschfield said, "To be able to draw on past hardship to soften our hearts towards others is one of the most repeated commandments to the Jewish people, and is the core of many spiritual traditions."

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A Perfect Demonstration of Human Empathy (Original Post) Oilwellian Nov 2013 OP
IMHO - The highest level of human consciousness... wundermaus Nov 2013 #1
The Golden Rule really sums it up ailsagirl Nov 2013 #2
K&R Change has come Nov 2013 #3
Thank you Oilwellian Nov 2013 #4
Very nice reminder that we're all human. Thank you. mountain grammy Nov 2013 #5

wundermaus

(1,673 posts)
1. IMHO - The highest level of human consciousness...
Fri Nov 8, 2013, 10:38 PM
Nov 2013

The Golden Rule:


You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your kinsfolk. Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
—Leviticus 19:18[10], the "Great Commandment"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule

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