Protecting those who are most vulnerable

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In Parshat Mishpatim (Shmot 22:21)
we are commanded: “You must not mistreat (lo t’anun) any widow or orphan.”

Rashi comments that nobody should be
mistreated. Nevertheless, since widows and orphans are frequently mistreated,
the Torah specifically points them out.

Rav Saadia Gaon explains that not
mistreating includes not mistreating their bodies as well as their money and
dealing with them fairly in a court of law.

According to Ibn Ezra, whoever sees
someone mistreating a widow or an orphan and doesn’t go to help them is
considered as if they themselves are mistreating them.

Although it may seem obvious to some
of us, the Torah emphasizes the fact that we must not mistreat the widow and
the orphan (as well as the convert) as they may not have anyone to stand up for
them.

The same is true for many residents
of nursing homes.

Over the past few weeks, an issue
arose in Israel where many nursing homes have been exposed as not treating
their residents properly. Security cameras are now being installed in Israel’s
120 nursing homes to make sure that if there is a case of abuse it will be
caught. Unfortunately, there is a culture in long term care facilities to pay
more attention to the needs of those residents who have family and friends
checking up on them on a regular basis and neglecting those who don’t. It is
the responsibility of all those who work in or visit nursing homes to speak up if
they see residents being mistreated. This includes looking out for physical
abuse, verbal abuse and theft.

We must remember that if we don’t
personally step in to help those who are vulnerable it is as if we too are
mistreating them.

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