This Shabbat we study the Parshah Kedoshim, meaning “holy [ones]”. It is found in Leviticus 19:2. The Parshah begins with the statement: “You shall be holy, for I, the Lrd your G-d, am holy.” This is followed by dozens of mitzvot (divine commandments) through which the Jew sanctifies him- or herself and relates to the holiness of G-d. These include: the prohibition against idolatry, the mitzvah of charity, the principle of equality before the law, Shabbat, sexual morality, honesty in business, honor and awe of one’s parents, and the sacredness of life.

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Also in Kedoshim is the dictum which the great sage Rabbi Akiva called a cardinal principle of Torah, and of which Hillel said, “This is the entire Torah, the rest is commentary” – “Love your fellow as yourself.”

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Chabad.org

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Possibly the most popular phrase in the Torah is “Love your fellow as yourself.” Idealistic words, for sure, but possible? Can we love someone— a stranger—as much as we love ourselves?

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On the most basic level, this means that we need to wish good upon others. Practical examples would be treating others with respect (just like we wish to be treated) and wanting good for others (just like we want). On a deeper level, however, the Baal Shem Tov explains that if we see another as a child of G-d, it enables us to feel a deep love for them. But while that may be true for those closest to us, how can we apply this idea to even strangers?

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The Alter Rebbe tells us to see beyond the physical constrictions of the body and view another person as a soul. Then there is no “I” and “you”. We are both one essence just as both hands are part of one body. This is in fact why this commandment is the basis of the entire Torah.  If we can see our existence as not just a physical reality, but an expression of G-dliness, we can master all of Torah.

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But does that mean I need to be blind to the faults of another? No! Just as we love ourselves totally but we still expect more from ourselves, we can love and respect another person even while seeing his mistakes. Being blinded to his faults, says the Rebbe, is actually apathy not love. Loving him means just as we justify our own failings and still love and respect ourselves, so too, we can find the justifications for another’s faults while still loving and respecting him for who he is.

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From an article by Chana Weisberg

(Editors Note: Next week we will address the question “Can I Pray for the Death of Terrorists?”)

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The Baal Shem Tov insisted that when you do a favor for another, there must be no strings attached and no expectations.

Of course, you want this person to become a better person, a more spiritual person, to fulfill the purpose for which this soul came to earth by learning Torah and doing mitzvahs. And of course doing someone a favor is the best way to get that happening. But when you do a favor, it has to be just for the sake of doing a favor. Unconditional love.

And that is the only way that love can have its effect.

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Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

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The act of tzedakah, whether it be material or spiritual, has the effect of “tzedakah exalts a people” (Proverbs 14:34). Chassidut explains this to mean that the benefactor’s mind and heart will be exalted (purified) a thousandfold. Thus, it is said in the Midrash: “You have given life to the soul of the poor, tomorrow the Almighty will give life to you, to your son and to your daughter.”

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There is, then, personal benefit to the benefactor. Moreover, this also hastens the general redemption for all of Israel, as it is said that Israel shall be redeemed by virtue of tzedakah.

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From an article by Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet

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The late Rabbi Yirmiye Aloy, of blessed memory, told an interesting story of when he was visiting the United States and looked up some old friends who were living in an old age home. He asked them whether their children visited them regularly. One old man’s answer was a quote from the Book of Psalms (68:20): Baruch Hashem yom yom—“Blessed is G-d day after day.” Rabbi Aloy was most impressed. “Every single day your children come to visit you? That’s fantastic!” “No, Rabbi, you don’t understand,” explained the old man. “Yom yom, two days a year—Mother’s Day and Father’s Day!”

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There is no question that there are times when the best thing for older people is a caring, well-run institution. The least we can do then is to visit regularly. And the longer people can be independent, the better. But, without trying to lay guilt trips on anyone, let me share an example I myself experienced as a young boy growing up in Brooklyn, New York.

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My grandmother passed away, and my grandfather, Rabbi Yochanan Gordon, of blessed memory, came to live with us. I had the privilege of being his roommate, on and off, for some twelve years. At times, I would help him with the accounting for the gemilut chesed fund that he operated from the house. This community free-loan fund was distributing over a million dollars in interest-free loans annually. I also remember helping him cut his toenails, which were difficult for him to reach.

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But far more than I helped him, he helped me. He was a special role model for me. Though he wore a rabbinical hat and a long beard, he never preached. His presence and his personality were enough of a message to me as a confused adolescent searching for my way in life. Without his quiet inspiration, I would probably never have become a rabbi. He never even knew what a profound influence he had on my life.

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So, while it may be true that older people can be difficult—I remember Zaideh being impatient and irritable at times too—the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices. Oh, there’s one more thing: At the end of the day, the way we treat our parents is likely to be the way our children will treat us.

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From an article by Rabbi Yossy Goldman

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