Learning from Gentiles

 

Rabbi Reuven Mann


 

Over the past few weeks, Rabbi Mann, rabbi at Rinat Yisrael, Plainview NY, has addressed “Kedoshim Tehiyu”, being sanctified. This is such an important theme. Even in areas in which the Torah places no prohibitions, we are obligated by this injunction to go further, and not to abuse the system for selfish and instinctual gratification. In line with “Kedoshim Tehiyu”, are humility, righteousness, and learning from anyone. The Rabbis teach: “Who is wise? One who learns from anyone.” This includes learning from righteous gentiles.

 

Unfortunately, the ignorant among us feel a Jew to be inherently superior to a gentile. This is of course against our Torah, as so many gentiles prove this as false. We all come from Adam, so we are all equal. Rabbi Mann cited one such case of where we can learn from the gentiles. This article below is an example of our derech of Torah, to learn from everyone.

 

 

 

New York Post -- May 13, 2005: By ERIKA MARTINEZ

 

 “The Bronx cop who donated her kidney so that a fellow officer could live was reunited with her pal yesterday — and got a chance to see her lifesaving gift at work.

Lisa Murphy said she never felt better than when she finally saw Vance Lloyd at his bedside and realized he had triumphed in his seven-year battle with nearly complete kidney failure.

“It's so great to see my kidney actually working [for him],” said Murphy, who underwent a 41/2-hour operation Wednesday at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.

Her kidney had been disconnected through small holes in her back during a laparoscopic procedure. It was removed through an incision in her belly and then transplanted into Lloyd during a six-hour operation.

Yesterday, both donor and recipient were in stable condition — and in great spirits.

“I'm a little achy, of course,” said Lloyd, who served in the Marines and is now a popular youth officer.

“Mentally, I feel great. I feel really enthused and just really good. I'm actually speechless. I really can't find words to describe it.”

Murphy, 40, said she was “so thrilled to see him the way he is, it's an indescribable thing.

“I just feel so lucky to have been able to have done this for him.”

Both cops, who have both worked the 4 p.m.-to-midnight shift at the 40th Precinct for seven years, have received an outpouring of support.

A complete stranger who had seen The Post's story about the pair Tuesday sent Murphy a plant with a card that read, “Read the story. You're a child of God, for you to give the gift of life.”

The letter was signed, “A proud citizen.”

And friends and fellow officers from the precinct have been calling Lloyd nonstop.

“It shows that the 4-0 is a family,” he said. “We have a lot of rookies in the building and if they didn't know where they wanted to be, they do now.”

Lloyd, 45, is expected to remain in the hospital through at least Sunday. Murphy went home yesterday afternoon.

Both Murphy and Lloyd hoped that the transplant gift — and the subsequent media coverage — would draw attention to a shortfall in transplant donations.

“This story is making some people realize that they should check the organ donation box on their drivers license,” said Lloyd. “Everyone should do this, because believe it or not, there are over 200,000 people waiting for transplants.”

Murphy, a 13-year NYPD vet, jumped in: “Two people at work told me they did it, so that makes me feel great.”

She knew she wanted to give Lloyd her kidney shortly after he suffered a stroke in 2002 from renal failure.

It took her a year and a half to convince him. But now, he's started thinking about how he'll spend the 13 hours per week that he used to lose to dialysis.

“She gave me back my life,” said the father of four, who has been married to his high-school sweetheart for 25 years. “I know myself, and I know I'll be even stronger now.”