I think that the Frank family were right to include others in their hiding place. If everybody in the world only thought of themselves and not anybody else, we would have no firemen, no army and no policemen. All of these people show an act of agape every day just while they are at work. A very significant example of this was the 9/11 bombings. During this event, 343 firemen lost their lives including Peter Carroll, Scott Larson, John Marshall and many more. This is an act of agape because these people were willing to help others even though they put their own lives at risk. Without all of these firemen, not as many people would have survived the 9/11 bombings. This is similar to the Frank family’s story because they were willing to put their own lives at risk, just to help others. I believe that this is the right thing to do and more people should do unselfish acts more often.
The Christian story of the Good Samaritan is about a person being robbed and beaten up. Then a priest and a Levite came past but they left him there. Next came a Samaritan who nobody liked but he still helped the man who had been robbed. This shows that some people are kind out of the goodness of their hearts and do not want anything in return (agape). Even though this is a Christian story, it can also be applied in a Jewish context. An example of this is during WWI a young Jewish soldier was in Germany and decided to go to the local Synagogue. After the service he was greeted by a kind German Jew by the name of Herr Rosenau who then invited him to go to his house for Shabbat. The Jewish soldier had a wonderful time and the experience really moved him. It moved him so much that he sent a letter to Herr Rosenau saying how grateful he was. This letter was forgotten for 21 years and when it was finally found WWII had begun. Obviously, Herr Rosenau and his family were in trouble because they were Jewish so they sent a letter back to the Jewish soldier asking if he and his family could go and live with him. Out of the kindness of the soldier’s heart, he said yes and saved the lives of Herr Rosenau and his family. This story shows that sometimes people help others out of the kindness of their hearts and do not expect anything in return. This is also taught in Christianity which is shown in the quote “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you.” However, whenever they are in need, the person that they had helped beforehand often helps them back. This usually happens in most people’s lives. If I ever get stuck on my homework, my friends always help me and do not expect anything in return. I also do things like this back to them as well (for example, if they ever needed a lift home). If nobody ever helped anybody else, then we would all have lots of problems that would never be solved. This is not the case in the Frank family because they took in lots of people and they gave them two more years of life. So if nobody had helped anybody in WWII then less people would have survived. Also, if the Frank family had not let anybody share their annex and then survived, lots of people would have been angry with them. They would have also felt less inclined to help them if they were ever in need. Also, not helping fellow Jews would have been going against their religion.
Many religions teach about the sanctity of life. The religion Judaism teaches that every life is special and holy. An example of this is that Judaism forbids abortion. Mr Frank and the Frank family showed that they believe in this because they thought that EVERY life is special and holy, so took in more people to stay with them. They believed that every person is equal and as special as each other. If the Frank family refused to let anybody else stay with them, not only would they be going against their moral values, but their religion as well. If they did refuse anybody, they would be acting as if their lives were more important than others. I think that it would be extremely wrong to refuse somebody the right to live and I do not think that many people would turn people down if they really needed help. The sanctity of life is not only taught in Judaism, it is also taught by many other religions. For example, Christianity teaches that life is the most precious thing and that we should treat all people as equal. This is shown in the quote “Love your neighbour as you love yourself” Mark 12:31. This quote shows that every life is special and we should all be treated equally. We can help others in many different ways. We can help them physically, for example donating a kidney for somebody or helping them up if they fell over. However we can also help them emotionally. For example if they have been through a hard time you can make them feel better or you can simply listen. Anyway you help somebody can also be called agape. Agape means an act of love so if you go out of your way to help somebody, you are showing agape. Mr Frank and the Frank family showed agape because the let other people stay with them, even though it made life more uncomfortable for them. Some people may argue that if the Frank family did not let anybody else stay with them, they might have survived longer but I do not think anybody could live with themselves knowing that somebody they refused to help could be dead or at least in trouble.
In conclusion I think that the Frank family were right to allow more people to stay with them. If everybody’s life is equal, then you cannot justify allowing yourself to be safe but not anybody else. Also, refusing to help other people against many religions. We need to show kindness to each other to help humanity. An example of this is giving to charity; hundreds of people would be suffering if it wasn’t for all of the kind people who give money. This is also an example of agape. I think that everybody should do show love and kindness to each other or the world would be a selfish and mean place.
