The Parable of Good Samaritan is misunderstood because most people don't have basic background knowledge. A Samaritan Kohen or Levite would have automatically avoided, what they presume to be a corpse because they would otherwise become ritually impure for days. A a Jewish Kohen or Levite of the Saducee/Zadokim school would have done the same. A Pharisee/Perushim Kohen or Levite had a rabbinic ruling which allow them to do either. A common Samaritan or Jew would have had no obligation to remain ritually pure.
All Orthodox Jews are Pharisees. And Talmudic ruling demand that saving a life takes precedence over ritual purity.
29 posted on
05/17/2012 11:16:38 PM PDT by
rmlew
("Mosques are our barracks, minarets our bayonets, domes our helmets, the believers our soldiers.")