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Is Judaism a religion that preaches love?
2/1/2008
 

Yes, Leviticus is often quoted for its more pernicious passages, but there are two verses which the Christians lifted to use as the foundation of their doctrine of love.
Leviticus 19:17-18 says:


"Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart" and
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."


The Hebrew Bible never advises Jews to hate their enemy, in fact there are many references suggesting that one's enemies ought to be treated well. Exodus 23:4 says:

"If you see your enemy's ox or donkey going astray, you should surely bring them back."

As to the concept of turning the other cheek, Jewish scholars feel that it is a unnatural way of promoting love in the world. Judaism preaches that one ought not be vindictive, and that one ought bear a grudge, but it does not propose that one love his enemy and thereby allow himself to be abused. The Jewish attitude was clearly enunciated in the book of Proverbs (24-17) that when a man's enemy falls, man should not rejoice and say "I will do to him, as he has done to me." The Talmud expands further on this admonition, saying "Let not your heart be glad when your enemy falls, lest the Lord see it and it displeases Him."

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