Q. Is it correct that when lo alenu an ambulance comes to pick up a sick person or there is an emergency such as a fire, the passersby and curious neighbors all concentrate to watch the pain and misfortune of another person at the time they may be very sensitive and add embarrassment and humiliation to their hurt? Should not the Rabbis educate the olam on this important issue?
A. Indeed Poskim rule sharply against those who out of offensive curiosity and nosiness, congregate around a victim or his property in times of distress. Kehilos Ya'a kov (Baba Basra 5) explains that chezek reiah or damage done by gawking or staring into someones property involves three different issues; damage done to the individual, to his property and the prohibition of inflicting pain or embarrassment.
Chashukei Chemed (Baba Basra 60a) and Mishpetei Sholom (p. 83) add that if our Sages permitted Biblical prohibitions for the sake of settling down the mind of the endangered ill, (O.H. 320: 1) certainly the one who causes anguish and distress to the afflicted, transgresses severely.
Chasukei Chemed further rules that all unnecessary spectators and gawkers including children should be removed immediately and instructed that if they are truly concerned for the welfare of the stricken, they should promptly recite Tehilim for them somewhere else.
Sidras Hamidos (p. 165) points out to the Mishna in Avos (4: 23) "Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar said: do not attempt to see (your fellow) at the time of his ruin (or downfall – kilkeloso)." Although, “kilkeloso” is interpreted by Rashi, Bartenura and others as sinfulness, Beis Avos and others translate the term as misfortune.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit”a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a.
Important Numbers
