Day 21 of the Omer
Shabbat Kedoshim
Torah: Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27 / Haftarah: Amos 9:7 - 9:15
“Love Your Neighbor”
Dear Friends,
This week’s Torah portion contains one of the most powerful commandments, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)
In the wake of terror attacks at synagogues, mosques, churches, and other religious institutions around the world, this teaching takes on added significance and importance. Commenting on the text, ibn Ezra taught that one is responsible to love other human beings because the one God created all of them. The Torah teaches in Genesis that we are all created in the image of God. Thus, we Jews see that all humanity is connected, despite our differences. “Love your neighbor as yourself” teaches us to push through misunderstanding in order to build trust. It motivates us to go beyond that which divides us to foster relationships. It commands us to dispel the hatred by creating bridges of compassion, acceptance, coexistence, and love with all who dwell on earth.
Each one of us can play a role in bringing peace and healing to our world. Start with “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
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