No Hate in the Heart |
The book of Vayikra changes dramatically this week. The first 17 chapters of this volume are about the sanctity of the national cultic center, the Cohanim and the offerings, but starting in chapter 18 we discuss the sanctity of humanity, especially the Jewish people, God’s precious possession. Most famously, chapter 19 begins: Be Holy!
One of the major components of achieving this human holiness is described in verse 13: Do not hate your brethren in your heart. Reprove your kindred but incur no guilt on their account.
On the most basic level this means: Instead of getting upset when your family member or friend does something wrong, let them know what you believe they have done wrong. But be very careful when chastising them. Don’t hurt them or embarrass them.
We must feel responsible for the moral behavior of other Jews. If we see them do something wrong or prohibited, it is incumbent upon me to inform them of their moral lapse.
Before looking more deeply into this Mitzvah, I must add an important list of caveats. Many commentaries point out myriad exceptions to this rule. The Kli Yakar lists three types of individuals whom we should exclude from this endeavor: the mocker (Mishlei 9:8), the fool (Mishlei 23:9) and the wicked (Mishlei 9:7). He concludes that these individuals hate rebuke; there is no sense in attempting to chastise.
Rebbe Nachman adds that........