Unfortunately, anti- Semitism is on the rise – and sadly, it’s raising its ugly head throughout the world. Hate is an awful thing and one has to be blind and deaf not to notice it.
But from where does this hatred toward us stem? The Torah relates that Aisav, the brother of our forefather Yaacov, was filled with hate towards Yaakov when he (rightfully) received the patriarchal blessings instead of him. This hate became part of Aisav’s DNA and he instilled and passed this hate onto his descendants. Amalek, Aisav’s grandson was the primary vehicle through which this hate was manifested, and this nation produced the likes of Agag, Haman and Hitler whose common objective was genocide of the Jews.
Amalek was actually the first nation to attack the Jews after they were miraculously freed from Egypt, and therefore G-d commanded us that at the appropriate time we are to do to Amalek as to what he wished to do to us.
Our Prophets convey that the grievance that Aisav and his descendants have towards Yaacov and his descendants remains with them constantly.
Rabbi Matisyahu Solomon in the midst of one of his talks mentioned something in passing that had a profound effect on me. The Yiddish word commonly used for being insulted and harboring a grudge towards others is – Broigez. Rabbi Solomon declared, “Broigez – is not a Jewish trait – it is the trait of Aisav – since Aisav is the one who is known to harbor grievances. Thus, we are capable of raising ourselves above holding grudges – for who wants to be associated with Aisav’s nature and failures?”
When we were at the pinnacle of our development to become G-d’s Nation, when we accepted the Torah at Mount Sinai, feelings of hatred towards the Jews began settling within the rest of the nations of the world. This hate is not quite as intense as Amalek’s – but they still simmer with feelings of hate.
Why did this happen? It is because we were willing to accept the Torah – while they turned it down. This umbrage is actually reflected in the name, Mount Sinai, the mountain where the Torah was given to us. The word Sinai, is related to the word Sinah – hatred. Our Sages tell us when the Torah was given to the Jews – Sinah/hatred was introduced in the world.
Although many reasons can be given to what triggers anti-Semitism – the root of it lies in the fact that we have a close relationship with G-d through our acceptance of His Torah. Unfortunately, this will remain a reality until the time of our redemption when Moshiach will arrive.
Let’s switch to the topic of love. I just heard a phenomenal idea from Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson about the origin of love within the Torah.
He asked his audience if anyone knew where the first time the Torah mentions Ahavah – love.
Rabbi Y.Y. then shared that it is when G-d described to Avraham that his beloved son Yitzchok was to be offered upon an altar.
The next time the Torah speaks of love is Yitzchok loving his wife Rivkah.
The next time love is mentioned in the Torah is Rivkah loving her son Yaacov.
The next love mentioned is Yaacov loving his wife Rachel. The next is Yaacov loving his son Yosef more than his brothers.
Said, Rabbi Y.Y., we see the Torah is presenting us with how love develops and how it is nurtured. When a parent gives love to their child, the child in turn has been given the tools and knows what love is, and can effectively convey it to his spouse and so on.
It is interesting that a recurring theme of love in the Torah is the love that G-d has for our forefathers and for us, and the love that we are to have to G-d by observing His Mitzvos.
Our caring, devotion and warm approach to G-d and His Torah stimulates G-d’s extra love toward us.
The Torah commands us to love the convert, a person who has committed himself to the laws of the Torah and has joined the Jewish nation – and may feel a bit vulnerable.
The Torah commands us to Love our fellow as we love ourselves – which means that we should not do to our fellow what we would not appreciate being done to ourselves.
These are quite high demands – however, when our ancestors rose to the occasion and accepted upon themselves to be an exalted and G-dly nation – we were invested within our DNA the ability and capability to triumph and convey to the world what love, goodness, kindness, holiness and G-dliness is all about!
