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New York - There are people who go through their daily routine oblivious to the suffering and pain that exists around them. Our daf, however, indicates that perhaps we should stop and empathize with others around us that suffer pain and agony. The Gemorah in SHabbos tells us Ma Hu Rachum veChanun af attah rachum veChanun – just as Hashem is merciful and kind – so too must we be merciful and kind.

Our Gemorah tells us that when HaKadosh Boruch Hu created the Levyasan he created both male and female of the species. However, if they were to reproduce they would destroy the world. What did Hashem do? He castrated the male and killed the female, enabling it to become future food for Tzaddikim.

The question arises as to what was the need to do both actions. Wouldn’t either option of castrating the male or killing the female have been enough? To this the Rashbam gives two answers: The first is that Hashem did not wish them to procreate with another species. The second answer is that Hashem was concerned with the anguish of the male levyasan having an unfulfillable desire to mate.

Clearly, then Hashem empathized with something or someone who had an unfulfillable desire. We too must, therefore, demonstrate empathy for others like this – albeit only in halachically permissible ways. This fits with the pasuk in Tehillim, verachamav al kol maasav – and His mercies extend to all His creations.

Another question may arise, however. Let’s say the person’s desire is for a forbidden item or thing? Should we then show empathy too? It does not make sense to say that we should show empathy to someone who has a desire to murder people but cannot. Yet the Levyathan’s desire was to procreate in a manner that would destroy the world.

We must, therefore, say that the distinction is as follows: When the desire itself is something prohibited – we should not have empathy. When the desire itself is permissible, but the results of that desire would lead to something bad – then we should have empathy.

The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com