Love Your Fellow

Rabbi Akiva says that, "To love your fellow as yourself" is a great basic principle of the Torah. (Leviticus 19:18, Midrash)

This week’s Torah portion, Kedoshim, speaks about Ahavat Yisrael, telling us to love our fellow Jew as we love ourselves. Human nature is to love oneself. Additionally, according to Jewish law, one can not place one’s life in danger to say another Jew. How then can the Torah tell us to love another as we love ourselves, when we are predisposed to do otherwise?

The Torah is teaching us something very important. Just as self love is blinding, so too, our love for others should be blinding. When we err, we find excuses for ourselves and pass on the responsibility. When we see someone doing us wrong, we should find excuses for them and not get upset at them.

Wow! What a level to strive for! Wishing you a happy and loving Shabbat!

Candle lighting time: 7:39 PM