Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, in setting out to illuminate the nation's soul, would say that in response to the groundless hatred which brought about the Second Temple's destruction, we have to increase "groundless love"; i.e., love that does not depend on any outside factor. Our love of one another must parallel the behavior of G-d, who, as we say each day, "lovingly chose His people Israel." (blessings before the recitation of the Shema)
We should not love our fellow Jew just because of his virtues and good deeds. Rather, we should love him without reason. In other words, even when he lacks virtues and good deeds, we should still love him. As the Prophet Zechariah said:
"These are the things that you shall do: Let every man speak the truth with his neighbor. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. Let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor." (Zechariah 8:16-17)
While neighbor may have shortcomings, we mustn't think evil of him in our hearts.
"Spiritual, compassionate Jews must greatly arouse their compassion at times when the nation is in spiritual descent, when the trampling of the holy and the scorning of religion are proceeding full apace? They must discern that all the same, Israel possess a powerful attachment to their G-d. They must also gaze upon the inner light of the Assembly of Israel, whose sanctuary is also within every individual Jewish soul, openly or secretly. This is true even regarding the most distant soul, the one that has strayed far from G-d's path." (Rabbi Kook, Orot, 148)
Today, we greatly need to increase our groundless love of Israel, precisely because of the difficult, complex situation in which we find ourselves. What, after all, is the test of true love between friends, spouses or parents and children? It is when there are difficulties, complications and crises.
And by increasing our love, may we be privileged to see with our own eyes the fulfillment of the prophetic vision: "The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful seasons. Therefore love truth and peace." (Zechariah 8:19)
We should not love our fellow Jew just because of his virtues and good deeds. Rather, we should love him without reason. In other words, even when he lacks virtues and good deeds, we should still love him. As the Prophet Zechariah said:
"These are the things that you shall do: Let every man speak the truth with his neighbor. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. Let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor." (Zechariah 8:16-17)
While neighbor may have shortcomings, we mustn't think evil of him in our hearts.
"Spiritual, compassionate Jews must greatly arouse their compassion at times when the nation is in spiritual descent, when the trampling of the holy and the scorning of religion are proceeding full apace? They must discern that all the same, Israel possess a powerful attachment to their G-d. They must also gaze upon the inner light of the Assembly of Israel, whose sanctuary is also within every individual Jewish soul, openly or secretly. This is true even regarding the most distant soul, the one that has strayed far from G-d's path." (Rabbi Kook, Orot, 148)
Today, we greatly need to increase our groundless love of Israel, precisely because of the difficult, complex situation in which we find ourselves. What, after all, is the test of true love between friends, spouses or parents and children? It is when there are difficulties, complications and crises.
And by increasing our love, may we be privileged to see with our own eyes the fulfillment of the prophetic vision: "The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful seasons. Therefore love truth and peace." (Zechariah 8:19)