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Is It Possible to Love Another As We Love Ourselves?

A Taste of Text—Kedoshim

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Is It Possible to Love Another As We Love Ourselves?: A Taste of Text—Kedoshim

On a simple level, loving another means treating them with the respect with which you would want to be treated. On a deeper level, it is the ability to love another, like a father loves a child, regardless of who and what they are.

Handouts:	Kedoshim
Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	Acharei-Kedoshim, Ahavat Yisrael, Kedoshim

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Chana Weisberg is host of the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories podcast and curator of advanced learning experiences on Chabad.org. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.

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Susan Dworin February 13, 2025

To agree to disagree was not a concept I grew up with on any level.

Interesting, in this setting I see that it is very important and necessary within specific parameters. All to the glory of G-d.

In Judaism, one does not agree to disagree about G-d’s commands, or the established fundamental principles or then pillars of Judaism. One upholds them, necessarily. Nor does one agree to disagree about who are His chosen people-light bearers unto the world, a people, a nation set apart for His purpose.

How to fulfill and accomplish His will is our purpose. Surely it is up for discussion. Surely, one can agree to disagree regarding, particulars, interpretation, meaning words, prophesies, and stories. Nevertheless, the substance stays the same. G-d’s will was given and is given a new as the morning dew.

Ten Commandments G-d spoke at Mt. Sinai were also given to the world to obey as reflected in laws given to Noah. The world is under a different covenant within His mighty purpose.
Amen Reply

Joan Johnson via JewishTV iOS April 23, 2023

I was also thinking about the treasure. Why would G_d give us treasure for being bad? It is the reward for being willing to take the trouble to clean out our houses and even tear them down if necessary to rid the house of evil. Josiah and Manasseh are 2 examples of kings who cleaned house. G-d returned the kingdom to Manasseh after he put away his idols and cleaned up the house of Judah. G_d later withheld the punishment that was planned for the house of Judah for Manasseh’s sins during the reign of Josiah when Josiah cleaned up both the houses of Israel and Judah. Reply

Roberta Hubbard Medford September 15, 2022

This was so wonderful and spot on right now for me to hear. You met me right where I was at. Thank you, Hashem, and Chabad. God is leading me to the sources that I need and am seeking. Reply

Robert Brito Lee Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic May 6, 2022

Ok I love this video and I am just at minute 12...
Very enlighting delimitation on how to love another for it has always been a relieving feeling when for example: I hear a child cry and I feel way less worried when it is not one of my children. Even relieved
I know now that it will be impossible to measure the mitzvah correct application on this paternal protection instinct but to feel empathy and procure well and relieve to them and everyone as far as ppossible Reply

Hmcdanel Texas May 4, 2022

To love another, is to be filled with the desire to see to their needs and wants first. Nothing makes you happiest, than to see them satisfied, safe, and whole. Not with hold anything within your ability from them. Peace and blessings. Reply

Aseret Cassanova Naples, FL February 17, 2015

This teaching it just come to me in the right moment, after surviving painful and embarrassing situations done to me. Humbleness Reply

Chesed Y. Avraham North Charleston April 26, 2014

Love is a word sometime misuse in actions, but its foundation come from different sources, but at the end love remain love. Reply

Zita May 7, 2013

I enjoyed your lecture a lot, thank you.

A fellow Jew from Hungary, Budapest Reply

Anonymous Oregon April 26, 2013

Justin, your post is deeply disturbing Thank you Mrs. Weisberg, for a very mature and nuanced discussion of a difficult subject. It gave me a lot to think about and apply to my life.
Reply

Anonymous Niatic, CT May 4, 2012

Loving yourself When we talk bout this portion we jump over loving ones self. what if you don't. Reply

Margaretha Tierney Elmhurst July 22, 2022

in response to Anonymous:

I think we have to realise that we all love ourselves, even if we say we don't. Adam was the representative of the human race and when he sinned, it affected all his descendants. Thus we have a natural bent to sin and one of those sins is selfishness. We easily think too much of ourselves and become proud and selfish. But another way to show selfishness is to think we are not worth anything to G-d or man. The person so affected becomes engrossed with their own unworthinessness; it is all they can think about. Instead, they need to put self aside and begin helping others and making them happy. Love of self is forgotten and in thoughtful kindness they treat others as they would like to be treated, thus fulfilling the command to love others as they love themselves. Reply

Justin Roth Staten Island, NY May 3, 2012

It's possible to love another as we love ourselves Of course, the answer is obviously, YES! A close relative, for example, is definitely one could and should love as one loves himself.
In Ms. Weisberg's eloquent presentation, I think she was saying that people should act lovingly towards everybody. If this is what she was indeed saying, I must say that I disagree.
How does one handle a rasha - a wicked person? I do not mean someone who occasionally does bad things, but a real, hardcore evil Rasha. Pharaoh. Hitler. Stalin. Hussein. Pol Pot. Arafat.
I think it would be quite inappropriate to act lovingly towards a rasha. This would only encourage him to carry on like everything is OK. Rebuke? Yes. Rebuke gently, humanely towards the rasha, NO! Hashem Himself did not "gently" take our people from Egypt. He inflicted plagues, with increasing levels of intensity in order to achieve what needed to be done.
When feasible, one should try to gently rebuke an occasional sinner. But a rasha? Think about it... Reply

Joan Gardner Los Angeles, Ca. May 1, 2012

Shpuld you love someone like yourself. This was excellent, very well done and made sense. I truly enjoyed it.
Thank you. Reply

Anonymous April 29, 2012

I hereby accept upon myself mitzvah of Love your fellow as yourselt - for this, our prayer would be accepted..... B"H Todah rabah for deep yet practical teachings that I have to incorporate into my everyday life. Reply

Tim Upham Tum Tum, Washington April 29, 2012

Take It To Heart Is it possible to love another as we love ourselves? I take it to heart. Because of what the Siddur says "You will love your fellow man, you though you will love yourself." That means all of humanity, which means I am to respect all of humanity. So I use it as a catalyst for Israeli-Palestinian peace. You must love the Palestinians, as much as you love your fellow Jews. Which means they have to coexist with each other. Is it any different than 55% of Jews in this country, being into mixed marriages?After all, I am the product of a mixed marriage. Reply

A Taste of Text

Each 20-minute video class uses a text from the weekly Torah portion to convey a contemporary insight on leading a more enriched life. Source sheets are included to help students follow along and gain a "taste" of the actual texts studied.

Is It Possible to Love Another As We Love Ourselves?

A Taste of Text—Kedoshim

Is It Possible to Love Another As We Love Ourselves?: A Taste of Text—Kedoshim

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Is It Possible to Love Another As We Love Ourselves?: A Taste of Text—Kedoshim

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Join the Discussion

Synagogue Services

Adult Education

Youth Programs

Holiday Celebrations

Women's Circle

Shabbat