When 'ואהבת לרעך כמוך' we scrutinize,
On each word a question does arise:
1. How is it possible that the One Above,
Can use a command for the feeling of love?
2. How can you be expected to love every Jew,
No matter what and no matter who?
3. How can you love another practically,
In the same way that you love yourself naturally?
From the previous chapters of Tanya the answer is clear,
But the Alter Rebbe spells it out here:
In truth, serving Hashem is very near,
By allowing the G-dly soul to take the wheel and steer.
We need to make our souls primary and our bodies secondary,
And then our perspective will change completely.
From the soul's viewpoint, as one we are united,
It is only our bodies that are divided.
Imagine a couple that can't get along.
They easily point out what the other does wrong.
Each one thinks that they're hurting their spouse only,
But they are hurting themselves because they are one entity.
If someone is inferior to you spiritually,
You must still love them unconditionally.
Although they may seem to be on a level that is lower,
Perhaps his or her soul comes from a source that is greater.
Besides, at the level of essence, ultimately,
All souls are actually created equally.
All of them are alike and they all have one Father,
Therefore every Jew is like a brother.
Hillel said, "It's the whole Torah. The rest is commentary."
Ahavas Yisrael is the test if we are serving Hashem properly.
When we disregard the animal soul's mentality,
Ahavas Yisrael comes to us automatically.
The goal of a Mitzvah is to bring down Hashem's light,
But Hashem can only rest down here if we don't fight!
"Bless all of us,... as one, with the light of Your Face,"
But Hashem won't dwell in a blemished place.
Serving Hashem and Ahavas Yisrael work hand in hand,
They are not two separate tracks, we must understand.
Torah elevates the soul higher to draw down Hashem's light,
But it can only come down if with our fellow Jews we unite.
The Torah's two fold principle is to transcend reality,
And then draw down Hashem's light into physicality.
Ahavas Yisrael is a mirror reflection of this dance,
We lovingly look at one's Neshama and give him a chance.
To show contempt to a sinner is only a requirement,
And only when three conditions are present.
The sinner needs to be a Torah observant Jew,
You must rebuke him and he must choose not to listen to you.
If someone didn't receive a proper Jewish education,
With thick cords of love you must draw them in.
In the case of heretics that pose a threat to Judaism,
Your contempt must be neutralized with love and compassion.
Yes, we can fulfill this commandment to love,
When we contemplate on all of the above.
Because emotions are born from the thoughts in one's mind,
To our fellow Jew we can truly be loving and kind.
On each word a question does arise:
1. How is it possible that the One Above,
Can use a command for the feeling of love?
2. How can you be expected to love every Jew,
No matter what and no matter who?
3. How can you love another practically,
In the same way that you love yourself naturally?
From the previous chapters of Tanya the answer is clear,
But the Alter Rebbe spells it out here:
In truth, serving Hashem is very near,
By allowing the G-dly soul to take the wheel and steer.
We need to make our souls primary and our bodies secondary,
And then our perspective will change completely.
From the soul's viewpoint, as one we are united,
It is only our bodies that are divided.
Imagine a couple that can't get along.
They easily point out what the other does wrong.
Each one thinks that they're hurting their spouse only,
But they are hurting themselves because they are one entity.
If someone is inferior to you spiritually,
You must still love them unconditionally.
Although they may seem to be on a level that is lower,
Perhaps his or her soul comes from a source that is greater.
Besides, at the level of essence, ultimately,
All souls are actually created equally.
All of them are alike and they all have one Father,
Therefore every Jew is like a brother.
Hillel said, "It's the whole Torah. The rest is commentary."
Ahavas Yisrael is the test if we are serving Hashem properly.
When we disregard the animal soul's mentality,
Ahavas Yisrael comes to us automatically.
The goal of a Mitzvah is to bring down Hashem's light,
But Hashem can only rest down here if we don't fight!
"Bless all of us,... as one, with the light of Your Face,"
But Hashem won't dwell in a blemished place.
Serving Hashem and Ahavas Yisrael work hand in hand,
They are not two separate tracks, we must understand.
Torah elevates the soul higher to draw down Hashem's light,
But it can only come down if with our fellow Jews we unite.
The Torah's two fold principle is to transcend reality,
And then draw down Hashem's light into physicality.
Ahavas Yisrael is a mirror reflection of this dance,
We lovingly look at one's Neshama and give him a chance.
To show contempt to a sinner is only a requirement,
And only when three conditions are present.
The sinner needs to be a Torah observant Jew,
You must rebuke him and he must choose not to listen to you.
If someone didn't receive a proper Jewish education,
With thick cords of love you must draw them in.
In the case of heretics that pose a threat to Judaism,
Your contempt must be neutralized with love and compassion.
Yes, we can fulfill this commandment to love,
When we contemplate on all of the above.
Because emotions are born from the thoughts in one's mind,
To our fellow Jew we can truly be loving and kind.
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