Monday, April 30, 2012

Kedoshim

YOU SHALL NOT HATE YOUR BROTHER IN YOUR HEART; YOU SHALL REBUKE YOUR NEIGHBOR (Vayikra 19:17).

What is the connection between these two mitzvos?


When someone offends you, do not hate your brother in your heart.  Rather you are to rebuke the person, which will remove the hatred.  Either he will provide a justification that you had not considered, or he will
admit his error (Ramban).

LOVE YOUR FELLOW AS YOURSELF (Vayikra 19:18).

Is it realistic to love your fellow as yourself?

No, it is not.  Actually, Rabbi Akiva taught "your own life takes precedence over your fellow's life."  The verse does not mean to love another as much as yourself, but to love another in the same manner as yourself.  You should not want for your fellow some good fortunes but not others. Instead,  desire any good fortune for him, as you desire for yourself all good fortunes.

Perhaps this is why the Hebrew does not say "love your fellow" but "love to your fellow" (l'rei-echa) (Ramban).

No comments:

Post a Comment