Taamei Hamitzvos - Not to Hate a Fellow Jew
Reasons Behind the Mitzvos: Not to Hate a Fellow Jew
By Rabbi Shmuel Kraines
(Mitzvah 238 in Sefer HaChinuch)
“Do not hate your brother in your heart; you shall surely rebuke your fellow Jew, and do not sin on account of him.” (Vayikra 19:17)
On the tenth of Teves, Yerushalayim came under siege due to unwarranted hatred amongst Jews. Had that generation repented at that point, there may still have been hope. This sin has plagued us since the rift that began between Yosef and his brothers, and continues to plague us to this day. If only we would rectify this sin entirely, the Beis HaMikdash would be rebuilt in our days.
THE MITZVAH
It is forbidden to hate a fellow Jew in one’s heart. One who exhibits his hatred openly does not transgress this sin according to many opinions. Revealed hatred is a sin as well, and it is a violation of the mitzvah to love one’s fellow as himself and other mitzvos, but it is not as severe as hidden hatred. Since the verse prohibits the hatred of a “brother,” we may infer that we one is obligated to love every Jew as his brother, regarding whom even the slightest hatred is unfitting. [Sources: Midrash Tanchuma; Rambam (De’os 6:5); Chafetz Chaim (Pesichah, Lavin §7); Ohr HaChaim. However, Ramban and others maintain that revealed hatred is included in the prohibition as well; see Kehilos Yaakov (end of Makkos and Arachin §4).
Reason One: A Destructive Emotion
Hatred causes tremendous harm to society (Sefer HaChinuch). Hashem specifically forbade harboring hidden hatred, since the subject of such hatred does not know to suspect harm and to avoid it (Rabbi Menachem HaBavli). In addition, if the subject would be aware of the hatred, he would be able to make amends (Adabrah Shalom). In other words, a society in which people suppress hatred in their hearts is prone to relentless controversy and slander. On the other hand, when differences of opinion are communicated, there is less hatred and less concern for harm.
Reason Two: A Despicable Trait
Hatred is a despicable trait (Sefer HaChinuch). It is especially despicable for a person to hate someone while feigning friendship (i.e., to flatter for hope of favorable reciprocation), and the Sages teach that Hashem despises one who does so (Pesachim 113b). Accordingly, in circumstances when it is permitted to hate an evildoer, one must exhibit the hatred openly (Semak §17).
Reason Three: Undermines the Unity of Hashem’s Nation
Maharal illustrates the wrongness of hatred amongst Jews in particular with an analogy about the heart. The heart pumps life-giving blood throughout the body and conveys nutrients and messages between the limbs, and thus acts to unify the limbs into one entity. In the same way, the Jewish people are separate limbs that are unified by their mutual connection to Hashem. Indeed, the Jewish people are Hashem’s children who are created in His image, and this makes us all brothers. It is therefore fitting for us to love each other in our hearts, and Hashem commands us against doing the opposite. (Nesivos Olam, Ahavas Harei’a Ch. 3) According to this approach, hatred of a single Jew undermines the unity of the entire nation and is an offense against Hashem as well.
Hashem’s Recommendation
The verse continues, you shall surely rebuke your fellow Jew. This is a separate mitzvah that rectifies the effects of hatred. When delivered properly, rebuke will usually lead to one of two results: either the rebuked party will explain or excuse his misconduct and the hatred will be proven misplaced, or he will accept the rebuke and the relationship will be amended (Ramban and others) Even if the rebuke fails to improve the relationship, the two parties will understand each other better and learn to avoid each other, which is better than sustaining or developing an even more hateful relationship.
