Machshava:

Chassidut 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Derech Mitzvosecha

Description

From Derech Mitzvosecha, discourse on Ahavas Yisrael. There are two mitzvos - one to love another Jew, and one not to hate another Jew. The aveira (sin) of hating another Jew is a prohibition in the world of emotions. Without the emotion of love for another Jew, all of a person's life is lacking, and there is a pegam (blemish) in his relationship with Hashem. Why did Hillel say that the mitzvah of ahavas Yisrael is the entirety of the Torah? The "l'reacha" (your friend) is also referring to Hashem, who is also called our friend. To pass through the gate to Hashem, you have to be a person who loves other Jews. There are two types of love - one that depends on something (which is essentially self-love), and one that does not depend on anything.