Achdut (Unity) | Imamother

mali

Wed, Jan 07 2009, 3:48 pm

copied from chabad.org

Tanya Chapter 32
By Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), founder of Chabad Chassidism (Free Translation)

Fulfilling that which we have spoken of above -- to view one's body with scorn and contempt, and finding joy only in the joy of the soul alone -- is a direct and easy way to attain the fulfillment of the commandment "Love your fellow as yourself" toward every soul of Israel, both great and small.

For, whereas one despises and loathes one's body, while as for the soul and spirit, who can know their greatness and excellence in their root and source in the living G-d? Being, moreover, all of a kind and all having one Father -- therefore, all Israelites are called real brothers by virtue of the source of their souls in the One G-d; only the bodies are separated. Hence in the case of those who give major consideration to their bodies while regarding their souls as of secondary importance, there can be no true love and brotherhood among them, but only [a love] which is dependent on a [transitory] thing.

This is what Hillel the Elder meant when he said in regard to the fulfillment of this commandment, "This is the whole Torah; the rest is but commentary... " For the basis and root of the entire Torah is to raise and exalt the soul high above the body, reaching unto the Source and Root of all the worlds, and also to bring down the blessed light of the Infinite upon the community of Israel, as will be explained later, I.e. into the fountain-head of the souls of all Israel, to become "One into One." This is impossible if there is, G-d forbid, disunity among the souls, for the Holy One, blessed be He, does not dwell in an imperfect place, as we pray: "Bless us, O our Father, all of us together, with the light of Your countenance," as has been explained at great length elsewhere.

As for the Talmudic statements to the effect that one who sees his friend sinning should hate him and should tell his teacher to hate him also, this applies to a companion in Torah and mitzvot, having already applied to him the injunction, "You shall repeatedly rebuke your friend (amitecha)" meaning "one who is your equal in Torah and mitzvot," and who, nevertheless, has not repented of his sin as stated in Sefer Charedim.

But as for the person who is not one's colleague and is not on intimate terms with him, Hillel the Elder said, "Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving the creatures and drawing them near to the Torah." This means that even in the case of those who are removed from G-d's Torah and His service, and are therefore classified simply as "creatures," one must draw them near with strong cords of love, perchance one might succeed in bringing them closer to the Torah and Divine service. Even if one fails, one has not forfeited the merit of the mitzvah of loving one's fellow.

Even with regard to those who are close to him, and whom he has rebuked, yet they had not repented of their sins, in which case he is enjoined to hate them, there still remains the duty to love them also, and both are right: hatred, because of the wickedness in them; and love on account of the aspect of the hidden good in them, which is the Divine spark in them, which animates their Divine soul. He should also awaken pity in his heart for her [the Divine soul], for she is held captive, as it were, in the evil of the sitra achra that triumphs over her in wicked people. Compassion destroys hatred and awakens love, as is known from the [interpretation of the] text, "To Jacob who redeemed Abraham."

(As that which King David, peace unto him, said, "I hate them with a consummate hatred," he was referring to heretics and atheists who have no portion in the G-d of Israel, as stated in the Talmud, Tractate Shabbat, beginning of chapter 16).

ora_43

Wed, Jan 07 2009, 4:07 pm

TheBeinoni wrote:

What does it mean to you?

Getting along and respecting each other despite our differences. For example, if I think young men should serve in the army and someone else thinks they should learn Torah full time (just using that b/c it's come up a few times), achdut is when I can recognize that her community's way of doing things is legitimate and appreciate her community's contribution and realize it's no less than my own, and she can do the same for me.

Ditto for any other issue. I don't think debate is a lack of achdut, as long as when the debate is over both sides can realize the validity of the other's approach, and can still enjoy each other's company.

The other key component is having a shared goal, IMO. We have to be working towards the same end point.

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What can we do to reach it?

Get over ourselves.

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Do we really need it?

Yes

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Is it possible?

Yes