Acting with Compassion
(16) Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Eternal.
This law teaches us it is our responsibility to help our neighbors, even if we are not suffering the same fate as them.
(9) ’Thus hath the L-RD of hosts spoken, saying: Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother;
(21) And I will betroth thee unto Me for ever; Yea, I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in justice, And in lovingkindness, and in compassion.
Israel became "wed" to G-d, that is we entered the Covenant on condition we act with compassion toward our fellow humans.
Ensuring Public Safety
Shabbat 151b
R. Hiyya said to his wife: When a poor man comes, be quick to offer him bread, so that others may be quick to offer it to your children.
It benefits us to help those in need, sure. However, more importantly, we are meant to be compassionate toward our fellow humans.
This law in Deuteronomy teaches us it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of others when we build. Why is it in our best interest to ensure the safety of the greater public?
Water is Life-Giving
Water Crises in the Tanach
(23) And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. (24) And the people murmured against Moses, saying: ‘What shall we drink?’ (25) And he cried unto the Eternal; and the Eternal showed him a tree, and he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet.
Here we have an instance when G-d saved the people of Israel by making the waters "sweet", meaning "fresh".
(21) And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Eternal caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. (22) And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. (23) And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
This passage, found in this week's Torah Portion, Beshalach, portrays the people of Israel at odds with water. Water itself is preventing them from prospering, and it may even spell out certain death. Only once Moses held out his rod, did G-d part the Sea of Reeds. In fact, there is a midrash that the waters didn't part until a brave, faithful man named Nachshon ben Aminadav walked into the waters. May we all be as brave as Nachshon in this crisis!
If you'd like to help, many local organizations are offering opportunities to aid Flint families. You can donate directly to the Jewish Federation of Flint. The Flint Child Health and Development Fund is collecting contributions at flintkids.org. The money helps local organizations provide medical, public health, and community-based resources for children affected by the water crisis.
The Red Cross is also accepting donations of bottled water at its office at 1401 South Grand Traverse in Flint. The are also looking for volunteers who can help distribute donated water and filters to those in need.