The famous expression ”Love your neighbor as yourself” appears in this week's portion — but it's worth knowing the full context.
So what is written before these words? Pay attention: ”You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall surely rebuke your fellow, and do not bear sin because of him.”
In other words, first and foremost there is a commandment not to harbor hatred in your heart, but rather to find a respectful way to express rebuke and criticism. If someone makes a mistake or commits a wrongdoing, if someone has hurt us and we are carrying something against them in our hearts — we must find the right words to address them, so that they can correct their ways and repair the wrong. We bear a responsibility toward them. Not to hate in silence, but to speak up and improve.
And then comes the next verse: "You shall not take revenge, and you shall not bear a grudge against the children of your people — and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."
No vengeance, no grudges — we are to love others as we love ourselves. And how is that possible? Our commentators ask us to notice the final words — "I am the Lord" — because they explain the source of love and mutual connection. I am the Lord — both your friend and you were created in the image of God; there is a soul within us, a shared divine spark. We are like siblings of the same Father — our Father in Heaven. Above us all there is one God, and we all come from the same source.
"Love your neighbor as yourself" — that matters. And so does what is written before and after it. May we merit to fulfill it.
Shabbat Shalom!
