A Segula for Ahavat Yisrael – How to Attain Unconditional Love

A Segula for Ahavat Yisrael – How to Attain Unconditional Love

We hear a great deal about the fact that the Temple was destroyed because of Sinat Chinam (baseless hatred), and that the coming of Mashiach depends on the degree of Ahavat Chinam in the Jewish people, yet everything remains at the level of words... The Mekubalim provide a practical guide for attaining specific levels of Ahavat Chinam, unconditional love—and that is what this post is about. 1. Every Jew is a part of me. The destinies of all Jews are intertwined. Hashem did not give us the Torah until we united as one person with one heart. Why? Because a Jew alone, by himself, cannot fulfill all the mitzvot. Only when we are united as Klal Yisrael can we observe the Torah in its entirety. “All of Israel is responsible for one another.” Just as the merits of Torah study and observance extend equally to everyone, so too, transgressions are shared by the entire nation. We are part of one great soul! Practical guidance: if every Jew is a part of me, I must treat him as I treat myself: - I cannot hate myself—therefore, I must not hate another Jew; - I never speak badly about myself—therefore, I do not speak badly about other Jews either; - I do not slander myself—therefore, I must not condemn other Jews either; - I am always ready to forgive myself when I fail—therefore, I must forgive others as well. 2. How to relate to those who have failed: When you meet someone who has not passed a “test”—of modesty, leadership, or manner of speech—remember: He and I are one! Practical guidance: - have compassion for him—but do not, under any circumstances, be aggressive; - pray for him—but do not judge him harshly (one must not think or speak badly of him); - protect him (his yetzer hara has prevailed for now, but tomorrow it may retreat)—this is better than attacking him; (when we become angry, we hinder the coming of Mashiach); If we internalize this and begin to act accordingly, G-d will relate to us in the same way: “measure for measure,” for it is said that “the Son of David will not come until an entire generation fully embodies this.” If, for our part, we judge all Jews favorably and make this a guiding principle, Hashem will also judge Klal Yisrael according to this principle, and in this way the generation will fulfill all that has been said! 3. The reward: a happy life! When someone hurts us, we must remember: the blow comes from G-d; the person who caused the pain is merely an intermediary, and everything that happens comes from Hashem—all for a person’s benefit! When this perspective takes root within us, we will not be saddened, we will not harbor hatred toward our fellow, we will not seek revenge or feel jealousy, and we will be able to readily forgive the person who hurt us. The natural result is that we enjoy a good life, free from anger, jealousy, bitterness, and petty, foolish arguments with anyone. Unconditional love for our fellow will flow from within without any effort. In addition, every attempt will bring us three priceless gifts: - We become better people; - We are rewarded for overcoming our yetzer hara; - “If someone forgives those who wronged him, Hashem forgives him.”   (Sila Tehillim website: http://rabbanitiris.com/segulot-prayers/)