It's  not like you have to become homeless with the homeless person 
(But it might be a good experience)
Or be hungry with the one who is hungry..
(But , again, the knowing what it is to be hungry makes a difference)
But you get my point .....

Being able to empathize with others, and to do so emotionally, is what it takes to be a fellow human being.

It's about Empathy 
And the willingness to .......