As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L
“And you should love your fellowman as yourself.” (19:18)
If such is the obligation toward one fellow Israelite, then how vastly must we love the entire people of Hashem! This intense love for our people, and even for a single one of our nation, actually is included in the command of “You shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart,” (Devarim 6:5) “for Hashem your G-d loves you,” (ibid. 23:6) and “I love you, said Hashem.” (Malachi 1:2) “Yes, I loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
The commandment “I am Hashem your G-d” (Shemot 20:2) means also “Think as I think!” If you love Me, you must love my people, and each individual of My people. This is included in the words “Holy shall you be, for I Hashem your G-d am holy,” which means that you should emulate Me. “And you should walk in His ways” (Devarim 28:9). The Holy Scriptures express the thoughts of Hashem (as He wishes to reveal to men); And these Scriptures speak solely about Hashem’s people and nothing else. Therefore this verse: “And you should love your fellowman as yourself” “is a great principle of the Torah” (Yerushalmi Nedarim 9:4) and is an essential corollary of “You shall love Hashem your G-d.”
When Hillel was approached by the perspective Ger who wished to learn the entire Torah in the same time that he would be able to stand on one foot, Hillel replied: “Do not do to your fellow that which you do not wish to be done to you, this is the entire Torah, and all else is commentary which you should learn.” (Shabbat 31A) Hillel did not quote the first and most fundamental commandment “I am Hashem your G-d” (Shemot 20:2) which is certainly the most obligatory. But the most difficult to achieve, and in the area in which most of the tests in life occur, is the function of successful living with others. Thus when a family of Cohanim enters to serve in the Sanctuary, the group that is leaving say to the newcomers: “He that put His name upon this edifice should cause that among you should be love and brotherhood and peace and friendship.” (Berachot 12A) It is most noteworthy that instead of blessing them that their service be performed with the utmost perfection, and the purest devotion of heart, they considered as most necessary to pray that Hashem assist them to maintain love toward their family members during the week that ensued. Because of the urgency of this commandment, the same words are said at the marriage rite: “Love and brotherhood and peace and friendship.” (Ketubot 8A)
Between a man and his wife, between neighbors and all of Israel, this is the most difficult and all inclusive commandment and is indeed an extremely “great principle of the Torah.” (Yerushalmi ibid.) The Sacred Scriptures state clearly that the seed of Israel, meaning the loyal Jews of today and of all generations, are G-d’s beloved people (Devarim 7:8, 23:6, 1 Kings 10:9, Yeshaya 43:4, Yirmiya 31:2, II Chronicles 2:10, Malachi 1:2) Those who choose to identify themselves with the loyal Jewish people are here intended. And when we endeavor to love them more, Hashem in like measure loves Us more. “And I shall bless those that bless you.” (Beresheet 12:3)
Quoted from “A Kingdom of Cohanim” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L
In honor of the 7TH Yahrtzeit of our Great Teacher Avigdor Hacohen Miller ZT”L 27th Nissan
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