This week’s Torah portion includes the command to “Love your fellow as yourself,” (Leviticus 19:18). I have always loved this quote, and also assumed it was pretty straight-forward. Try to be nice to others, and find the same compassion for other people that you might usually have only for yourself.
Now, let me complicate the picture with a beautiful interpretation of the meaning of love from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.
I learned the meaning of love from two drunks whose conversation I once overheard. The first drunk said, “I love you.”
“No you don’t,” replied the other.
“Yes, yes, I do. I love you with all my heart.”
“No you don’t. If you love me, why don’t you know what hurts me?”
To be loved and to be loving, we must acknowledge how much pain there may be under the surface. Loving another person includes acknowledging their pain.
As we think about compassion in this midpoint between Passover and Shavuot, let us remember we are in a transition point in the world. Vaccines provide a glimmer of hope that “normal” is right around the corner. But as we enter this new world, our tradition challenges us to remember how painful this past year has been for so many. From financial hardship, to mental health challenges, to deaths, this has been a tough time.
Let us all strive to create a world full of the love and holiness exemplified by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, remembering how much pain we have all felt this year, and may we make spaces in our hearts and in this beautiful Limmud community to offer that kind of love to ourselves and to others.
Learn on!
