Drash Cards for Kedoshim (5765)

by Marc Mangel

• As always, I note what Shlomo taught us some years ago: Acherei Mot Kedoshim Emor

• Today I want to focus on Ch 19, v  18: Love your neighbor as yourself.

• Akiva said that this as the Klal gad — fundamental principle — of Judaism.

• Ben Azzai objected and said that Genesis 5:1 is superior as the fundamental principle.

• Hillel revised this to “What is hateful to you do not do to your neighbor”.

• The Buir asked “Why would God command something beyond our capacity — and that hate and love are beyond our capacity.

• But  Ramban said that this is a qualitative issue: “Whenever our love of others does not clash with our legitimate interests, we are obligated to promote our fellows’ welfare just as we would our own”

• Even Jesus talked about this. In  Mark 12:28-31 we find the Shma and Love Your Neighbor. In Luke 10;25-38 Jesus says to have eternal life  love God (V’Ahafta) and love your neighbor as yourself

• R. Avraham Moseh of P’secha said it means “Do not take revenge or bear a grudge”

• Regardless of which interpretation you select — the point is clear