Kedoshim – Love Thy Fellow As You Love Yourself Because We Are All One

This week’s Torah portion, Kedoshim, is the single Torah portion that not only inspired me to be a rabbi, but recognizes the amazing teaching of Judaism.

When the world was overwhelmed by war, from Mesopotamia to Europe, when communities were pitted one against the other, the Scriptural author of Judaism, rather than enter into the fray of competition, wrote in our magnificent Torah, “Thou shalt love thy fellow as you love yourself.”

That statement itself is most inspiring, but when the rabbis were asked to comment on this Biblical verse, they added, “because your fellow is yourself.” We are all One.

Rabbi Dr. Douglas Goldhamer

President,  Hebrew Seminary