Torah: Leviticus 16:1 – 20:27
Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazim); Ezekiel 20:2-20 (Sephardim)
Please
feel free to pass this on, and please cite the source.
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What the World Needs Now
"You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your fellow as yourself; I am the Lord." Lev. 19:18
"As the home born among you, so shall be the stranger that dwells with you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God." Lev. 19:34.
In her book, "New Studies in Leviticus", Nehama Leibowitz wonders what exactly is meant by "as yourself" (kamocha). She points out that the Rabbis had said that to love another as one's self cannot be taken literally. She refers to the commentary "Biur", which says, "It is hardly conceivable that the Almighty should command something which is beyond human capacity." Rather, says Leibowitz, do not read "as yourself", but instead "who is like you". That is why the Torah says, "For you were strangers in the land of Egypt." Because you know the heart of a stranger (Exodus 23:9), you must love the stranger rather than treat him the way you were treated in Egypt.
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What the World Needs Now
"You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your fellow as yourself; I am the Lord." Lev. 19:18
"As the home born among you, so shall be the stranger that dwells with you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God." Lev. 19:34.
In her book, "New Studies in Leviticus", Nehama Leibowitz wonders what exactly is meant by "as yourself" (kamocha). She points out that the Rabbis had said that to love another as one's self cannot be taken literally. She refers to the commentary "Biur", which says, "It is hardly conceivable that the Almighty should command something which is beyond human capacity." Rather, says Leibowitz, do not read "as yourself", but instead "who is like you". That is why the Torah says, "For you were strangers in the land of Egypt." Because you know the heart of a stranger (Exodus 23:9), you must love the stranger rather than treat him the way you were treated in Egypt.
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| Nehama Leibowitz (1905-1997) |
Leibowitz’ reading raises another issue. The word "ger", translated
here as "stranger", has two meanings - "alien" and
"proselyte". The Rabbis understood the “stranger that dwells with
you” in the latter sense. They understood "you were strangers" in the
former sense. Then Leibowitz’ understanding of "kamocha" as "who
is like you" would suggest either that the Israelites had become Egyptian
proselytes, God forbid, or that "the stranger that dwells with you"
means any stranger, regardless of religious practice.
Far be it from me to suggest that the Rabbis misinterpreted this verse; but I wish to propose a broader meaning. The "stranger" is a closely related case to "fellow". Just as you are to love your fellow, who you recognize to be like you, so should you love the stranger who, as it happens, whether alien or proselyte, is also like you.
Recall that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Perhaps that is why the second verse has the phrase "your God" - as a reminder. So every person can become "your fellow" whom you love and who loves you in return - but only when you acknowledge that every person is "like you".
Have a wonderful Shabbat!
Far be it from me to suggest that the Rabbis misinterpreted this verse; but I wish to propose a broader meaning. The "stranger" is a closely related case to "fellow". Just as you are to love your fellow, who you recognize to be like you, so should you love the stranger who, as it happens, whether alien or proselyte, is also like you.
Recall that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Perhaps that is why the second verse has the phrase "your God" - as a reminder. So every person can become "your fellow" whom you love and who loves you in return - but only when you acknowledge that every person is "like you".
Have a wonderful Shabbat!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom – ZSRS ‘00
Burbank, CA
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"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still." Isaiah 62:1
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Candlelighting (Los Angeles): 7:09 pm
I'm conducting services this Shabbat morning at 9:30 am at Congregation Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main Street, Venice 90291. Torah study follows Kiddush.
Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, April 23, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD UNLESS IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL SEALED CONTAINER AND BEARING A HEKHSHER AS DAIRY OR PAREVE. Lunch will be provided by Congregation Beth Meier. Donations gratefully accepted.
The Days of Remembrance program conducted by the Burbank Human Relations Council will take place on Tuesday, April 23. A brief program and presentation will be held at the Burbank City Council meeting at 6:30 pm, followed by a full program and speaker at 7:30 pm at Temple Beth Emet, 600 N Buena Vista St., Burbank.
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for all those injure in the Boston Marathon terrorist bombings.
This
d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Deb Berenbach, Gabor ben
Devorah, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily
Levin, Frank Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins,
Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.
My weekly divrei torah are also available via e-mail subscription to Cyber Torah.
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