124 Torah Book & Portion, Book of Leviticus, Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1–20:27), Source Book Keys, AMJV LEVITICUS | 19:17 hate — LEV569 There are many sources pointing out the st... LEV569 There are many sources pointing out the strong antagonism of Judaism to the emotion of hatred. These sources flow from the Torah, the Tanach, the Talmud, and Midrash. The Torah specifically states [this verse] that one may not hate a brother (fellow Jew) in one's heart. The verse in Obadiah (1:12) another verse Proverbs 24:17–18) also says that you may not be joyous when your enemy is defeated, lest God get angry. This concept, of not being happy when an enemy falls, is codified in the Mishnah by Shmuel Hakatan (Avot 4:19). The idea of hatred was so distasteful to the Jew that the Talmud records that the Second Temple was destroyed because of unfounded hatred among Jews even though they performed mitzvot and were kind (Yoma 9b). Furthermore, it says in that passage that since we know that the first Temple was destroyed because Jews committed the three cardinal sins of Judaism--adultery, murder, and idolatry (the only three of the 613 for which one must choose death rather than perform them at gunpoint).... [t]his teaches us that for him who hates needlessly it is as if he has committed all three cardinal sins combined! The essence of Judaism itself involves the avoidance of hatred. When Hillel was asked by the non-Jew to tell him the entire Torah while standing on one foot (Shabbat 30a), Hillel replied that you should not do unto others what is hateful to you.... Thus, the essence of Judaism, according to Hillel, is to not act in a hateful manner. Share Print Source KeyAMEMEIVerse19:17Keyword(s)hateSource Page(s)91 Switch article LEVITICUS | 19:17 hate — LEV556 It is far better and more positive to let ... Previous Article LEVITICUS | 19:17 hate — LEV555 It is a negative commandment not to hate i... Next Article