R’ Akiva calls “Ve’ahavta l’reiacha kamocha” a great Torah principle. Ben Azzai disagrees. Wessely attempts to reconcile them with an original interpretation.
I think the machlokes is really about respect vs love, which do we actually need to focus on?
Rabbi Akiva clearly says love and who can we love? Those we have similar characteristics or shared values with…
Where is Ben Azzai claims that respect is greater… highlighting the commonality with faults and all of human beings. Furthermore, the disrespect or disparaging of others could corrupt our ability to show love so it is the underlying principle that is greater than simply loving. Because love can lead to rebuke that is not from love, and ego bashing…
As the evidence points to Rashi being all about the Jews (as opposed to the other nations) I think that explains his preference (רעך being understood narrowly).
Personally I think that for R Akiva another person's humanity is enough to obligate us ethically whereas his disputant doesn't regard that as sufficient and invokes our metaphysical status to create that ethical demand.
I think the machlokes is really about respect vs love, which do we actually need to focus on?
Rabbi Akiva clearly says love and who can we love? Those we have similar characteristics or shared values with…
Where is Ben Azzai claims that respect is greater… highlighting the commonality with faults and all of human beings. Furthermore, the disrespect or disparaging of others could corrupt our ability to show love so it is the underlying principle that is greater than simply loving. Because love can lead to rebuke that is not from love, and ego bashing…
Ooh, I like that approach! It didn't occur to me, but it fits the sources and makes sense. Thanks!
:) welcome
As the evidence points to Rashi being all about the Jews (as opposed to the other nations) I think that explains his preference (רעך being understood narrowly).
Personally I think that for R Akiva another person's humanity is enough to obligate us ethically whereas his disputant doesn't regard that as sufficient and invokes our metaphysical status to create that ethical demand.
(Typo alert btw: redlected instead of reflected)
Thanks for the Torah and Shabbat Shalom!
Fair theories. And thanks for pointing out the typo!
Good stuff
https://open.substack.com/pub/marlowe1/p/the-next-three-high-risk-articles?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=sllf3