Love Your Neighbor As Yourself/2
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Love Your Neighbor As Yourself
Exegetical Approaches
Actions
Loving another as one's self entails treating the other as we would want to be treated.
Sources:R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Rambam, Sefer HaChinukh, Ralbag, HaKetav VeHaKabbalah, R. D"Z Hoffmann
"ואהבת את רעך" vs. "אָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ" – R. D"Z Hoffmann asserts that the difference between these formulations relates to the nature of the love being commanded. The "לְ" connotes love which is expressed through actions rather than emotions, as it something you do "to" the other.
Can you command an emotion? The idea that one cannot, at will, simply feel the emotion of love for any stranger is one of the motivations for this approach. R. D"Z Hoffmann points out that though one cannot be expected to love any fellow, one can be commanded to do acts of loving kindness.
"כָּמוֹךָ" – R"Y Bekhor Shor notes
Generosity of Spirit
The verse commands that we should want for the other what we would want for ourselves.
Love
The law demands that one should feel love for one's neighbor, just as one does for one's self.
Sources:Moses Mendelssohn
Can you command an emotion
"לְרֵעֲךָ" – who is included?
"כָּמוֹךָ"
"ואהבת את רעך" vs. "אָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ"
Context
Comparable verses
