Hastening the Redemption

Love of One's Fellow Jew
and the Dissemination of the Inner Dimension of the Torah

by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh

1. The cause of the destruction visiting the Jewish People, both past and present--for "every generation in which the Temple was not rebuilt in its days is as if it was destroyed in its days"--is causeless hatred. The awaited redemption will come in the merit of love of one's fellow Jew, a love not dependent on any cause and directed towards each and every Jew.

2. "Hillel said: Be of the students of Aaron, love peace, pursue peace, love the creatures and bring them close to the Torah." What is the way to the peace we are to love and pursue? "Love creatures and bring them close to the Torah," i.e., love of one's fellow Jew and returning them to the ways of the Torah through pleasant and peaceful means.

3. Even when we must fulfill the commandment to "rebuke your fellow" regarding a Jew who has stumbled into a transgression against the laws of the Torah, we must do so in a sensitive way, as this very verse continues: "...but do not commit any sin with his regard." In order for the open rebuke and protest (when they are called for) to be effective, they must originate from a place of love.

4. In conclusion: The Redemption will come only in the way foretold by the prophet: "Not by might, nor by power, but rather by My spirit, says G-d of Hosts." The Redemption will occur neither through power politics nor violence, G-d forbid, but by introducing a new spirit in our people and in the world. "My spirit" refers to the spirit of the Torah in general, and the spirit of the inner dimension of the Torah--the soul of the Torah--in particular. It is incumbent upon us to disseminate the "spirit" of G-dliness everywhere, always in a graceful and sensitive way, out of pure love for our fellow Jew and inspiring, genial humility.