You Love Other Jews, But Can You Respect Them?
This women's class was presented on Tuesday, 29 Nissan 5777, April 25, 2017, at Ohr Chaim Shul, Monsey, NY.
Rabbi Akiva taught his students to love. But they could still not learn to respect their colleagues. Why?
There are people you like but don't love; there are people you love but may not like. There are people you love and like, and there are people, well, that you don't love and don't like either. You love your parents. You love your brothers. You love your sisters. But you don't necessarily like them… Sometimes, you love your husband, but you have a hard time liking him.
What is the difference between "liking" and "loving"? What is the difference between anti-Semites who hate Jews and Jews who dislike Jews? Why do we count both the "day" and the "week" in the counting of the Omer? Why are there so many couples who “fall in love,” but after some time, they find themselves so far apart?
The class explores two concepts: Love vs. respect. The Hebrew word for love, Ahavah, is the same numerical value as the word Echad, meaning oneness. Love grows out of our oneness and sameness. Respect grows out of appreciating our differences. Both are crucial in relationships between families, communities and nations.