Perashat Ahare Mot-Kedoshim 5777

Perashat Ahare Mot-Kedoshim 5777

In this week's perasha, Kedoshim, we find one of the most famous verses in the Torah: "Ve-ahavta Le'reakha Kamokha" - "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Definitely a famous verse, but not so famous for having been accomplished. Is it really possible to love someone other than myself, like myself?  I think the real question here is, how can G-d command someone about a feeling?  The Torah can tell me to do certain things; to sit in the Sukkah, to eat Massa, to recite the Shema, etc. That's fine - but can someone other than myself command me to love? Love is not something that can be commanded!

Indeed, the Ramban (Rabbi Moses ben Nahman 1194-1270), in his commentary on the Torah, says that it is an exaggeration from the Torah, since it is impossible to accomplish. The Torah just means that one should try his/her best to connect emotionally with their friends and neighbors, in order to later translate that emotion into actual demonstrations of help and care when/if needed. 

Rabbi Shimshon Rafael Hirsch explains further that the Torah never really commanded us to love someone else like ourselves, but shows us the path of how to get there. He says that in proper Hebrew, "Love your neighbor like yourself," should read, "Ve-ahavta Et R'eakha Kamokha."  Instead, the Torah says, "Le'Reakha." The literal translation of "Ve-ahavta Le'reakha Kamokha," is, "You shall love to your neighbor like yourself." What does this mean?

Rabbi Hirsch answers: Genuine love of one's neighbor must come later; first one must act in a loving manner to him. One must play the role of the loving fellow-man, and then ultimately, he will indeed come to love him. First we must build up the image, and then, by the process of the external actions of being generous and kind in a loving manner toward our friend, we come to achieve a new inner transformation. 

With training and perseverance, it can take a long time to achieve inner changes, but eventually, after practicing sensitivity towards others, we will find ourselves truly loving others with true emotion and passion