Love for Others: A Practical Guide

Question

Dear Rabbi,

What does the mitzvah to “love another person as yourself” mean?

Thanks

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    A truly profound question! The verse states, “You shall not take revenge or bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your fellow as yourself; I am God.” (Lev. 19:18)

    How does one fulfill this mitzvah in practical terms? Maimonides writes, “It is a mitzvah for every person to love each and every one else as his body, as it is written: And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. In turn, you need to speak of his praise and be careful about his money as you are careful about your own money and want your own honor. And the one who honors his friend’s disgrace has no share in the world to come.

    However, Nachmanides seems to question this explanation: The phrase “Love your neighbor as yourself” cannot be meant literally since a person cannot truly be expected to love his neighbor as much as himself. Moreover, Rabbi Akiva has ruled that “Your life comes first.”

    Therefore, Nachmanides explains the mitzvah to be “wishing the very best” for the other person but not necessarily a command to act in a way that shows love for the other person as much as for himself. This seems to fit well with the teaching of Rabbi Akiva: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow person.”

    The Torah commentaries explain that there is no dispute regarding the mitzvah. Ideally, if a person has an extremely elevated soul, that person can actually love another as much as himself. We have heard of examples of such behavior, for example in the concentration camps of Europe and in times of war – including the superhuman sacrifices by soldiers and civilians in current conflicts. Nevertheless, even “mere” wishing and praying for another person’s wellbeing and success is also a fulfillment of this mitzvah for the average human

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team