Acharei Mot – Kedoshim 5786
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites
These days, the days of counting the Omer, serve as a preparation of an inner “receptive vessel” in anticipation of the festival of Shavuot, the time of the giving of the Torah. These days also carry within them a painful historical memory: the death of 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva, who “did not treat one another with respect.” At the same time, these are also days of great light, during which the secrets of the Torah were revealed by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a student of Rabbi Akiva.
Precisely because these are days of such great influence, the demand placed upon us is also greater: to refine our behavior, to be more precise in our conduct toward others, and to examine our character traits. Above all stands the verse written in this week’s parasha:
“Love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord”
(Leviticus 19:18).
Regarding this, the Jerusalem Talmud states:
“It was taught: Rabbi Akiva said, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ – this is a great principle of the Torah”
(Jerusalem Talmud, Nedarim 9:4).
This well-known sentence often loses its significance. It appears in children’s songs, is sung simply, and is perceived as a general, banal slogan of “being nice.” But a deeper look requires us to stop and ask: is this truly “the great principle of the Torah”?
If we were asked, we would likely point to values such as Shabbat observance, Torah study, or modesty. However, Rabbi Akiva, about whom it is said that he was worthy of having the Torah given through him, chooses to place love of others as the central foundation of Judaism. This does not mean, of course, that love of others replaces, Heaven forbid, the fulfillment of commandments. Rather, it is the foundation upon which everything is built.
Recent studies indicate that every person has an internal, almost automatic system that classifies people within a split second – “who is like me” and “who is different from me.” Accordingly, a positive or negative reaction develops. The result is an unconscious division into groups: religion, culture, gender, ideology. This division sometimes creates distance and even alienation toward those who are not “like us.” This attitude prevents a person from reaching our true purpose, which is built on an inseparable system of love of humanity and love of God. On this matter, the Maharal of Prague writes:
“The commandment in Israel is ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ for one who loves people also loves God, for one who loves one being loves all the works of His hands… therefore when one loves God, it is impossible not to love His creatures. And if one hates creatures, it is impossible to love God who created them.”
(Netivot Olam, Nativ Ahavat Rea, Chapter 1)
The message is clear: love of humanity and love of God are one system. One cannot claim to love the Creator while disrespecting His creations. There is room for disagreement, for different opinions, and for diverse ways of life, but hatred, rejection, or division into “us and them” cannot coexist with service of God.
And so it is told about the Elder of Kelm, who fought strongly against the Enlightenment movements of his time. Yet when one of his opponents passed away, he was found crying. When those around him expressed surprise, he explained: the struggle was against ideas, not against people.
This understanding, that God and His creations are an inseparable unit, is the tradition passed down to us by Rabbi Akiva. Precisely he, who began his life as an uneducated shepherd, can teach us about the connection between man and God that stems from love of others. For had it not been for the faith of his wife Rachel in his potential, we would have lost all the good he brought into the world.
This insight illuminates the greatness of Rabbi Akiva’s principle, for it unites and binds the Jewish nation with God into a single entity that brings every individual to their proper purpose.
We understand from this why Rabbi Akiva defined love of others as “a great principle of the Torah.” It is the foundation upon which everything stands. Especially in these days of preparation for receiving the Torah, we must understand that refining character traits and strengthening interpersonal mitzvot are the key to receiving the Torah and serving God. Without this inner work, we remain lacking.
A practical suggestion: every person can choose to improve one trait – patience, respect, generosity, listening – and focus on it during these days. Small but consistent effort can bring great change. And then something surprising is revealed: one who improves their relationship with others does not only gain in one area, but also merits a stronger connection between themselves and God.
