“You should love your fellow Jew as yourself …” (Vayikra 19:18)
In this week’s Parsha, the Torah bids us: “You should love your fellow Jew as yourself”. This is a very challenging and difficult task. How are we supposed to accomplish something so lofty? Hashem gave us role models of two brothers, Moshe Rabbeinu, and Aharon HaKohen. Moshe and Aharon could have been jealous of each other and been rivals but instead loved and respected one other. We learn from Moshe and Aharon what true love is really all about. The Gematria (numerical value) of Ahavas Yisroel (Love of one’s fellow Jew) is 949. Perhaps this is why Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon Hakohen is Gematria 949! It is when Klal Yisroel (the Jewish People) love one another, despite our differences that we arouse the mercy of Hashem and bring the Geulah (redemption) closer. This is why V’Ata Berachamecha HaRabim (You in Your great mercy stood up for them in the time of their distress) is Gematriah 949, because it is then when Hashem will show us His abundant compassion! (Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita)
The Chafetz Chaim writes (Ahavas Yisroel, Ch. 2) that we are constantly praying for the Beis HaMikdash, but we neglect to contemplate the cause of its destruction, which was hatred for an unjustifiable reason. Therefore, if we want the Beis HaMikdah to be rebuilt, we must rectify this sin and love all Jews, no matter their background! (Sefer Avodas Hatfilah)
When will Hashem redeem us and have mercy? When we have Ahavas Yisroel and love each other like Moshe and Aharon. I once read a story about the Holy Beis Aharon: The Beis Aharon once told one of his Chasidim (followers) to go outside and tell the rest of the Chasidim what he saw. The Chasid (follower) returned and said, “I saw two drunkards walking. One of them said, ‘let’s hold onto each other so we don’t fall.” Turning to his Chasidim the Rebbe exclaimed, “Did you hear what he said? If you hold onto each other, you won’t fall down! The nations of the world can’t harm the Jewish nation when we are all united, Bachdus, in unity, in harmony and in love!
Link to previous post from this week’s Torah portion: Parshas Achrie Mos – Keep on Growing – Parsha Knowledge
