This week we read the Haftora of Chazon in preparation for the Tisha Ba'av which begins after Shabbat. This is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar and a national day of mourning for all of the tragedies that have befallen our people. This day commemorates the destruction of the first and second Holy Temple. Our sages teach us that the generation which was living in the time of the destruction of the second Holy Temple was filled with righteous, learned and meritorious people but the reason the Temple was nevertheless destroyed was because there was senseless hatred between fellow Jews. It is hard to understand this comment in relation to our modern day reality. I mean how much hatred existed between people at that time? Of course the Sages share a sampling of some stories but we have to assume that those were extreme cases. If we evaluate the situation of the Jewish People today I think we would have to say that the situation in regards to baseless hatred must be worse.

It is sometimes hard for us to put our finger on baseless hatred and if we in fact are guilty of such feelings or actions. I think most people rationalize their hatred for someone, so they don't view it as being baseless. Without getting into the exact definition of what constitutes baseless hatred and under what conditions one is allowed to harbor hatred towards another Jew, I would just take a look at our initial interactions with people. I speak for myself, but usually when I see someone I begin to look and see how different they are from me. I think this problem of identifying what is different, is an easy way to fall into the trap of baseless hatred. The fact of the matter is when we meet someone the chances are that we have much more in common with them than we have differences. I think by first framing people we meet based on what is common we will be one step close to eradicating some of the baseless hatred between us.

Shabbat Shalom,

May we see the rebuilding of the Holy Temple speedily in our days!

Heath