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Our Closest

Relatives

Rabbi Reuven
Taragin

Appreciating and loving We must care for other Jews not only far, far outweighs whatever divides
because of our shared mission but us – although, in the nature of things,
ashem creates each because of our personal relationship the focus within the community is
person differently with each of them. We are all Hash- upon the divisive element. I sometimes
because we each have a em’s children, and we are all brothers. have the feeling that, with regard to
Hunique mission. Our dis- The special treatment the Torah com- perceiving that community, we are
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tinctive appearance and fingerprints mands us to offer other Jews reflects often somewhat remiss… Surely we
reflect unique outlooks, perspectives, and reinforces this familial relation- need to recognize, and the point can
abilities, and personalities, all of which ship. This includes practical assistance hardly be overemphasized, that our
help us realize our personal missions (such as lending money without inter- basic affinity is with those – past, present or
(Talmud Yerushalmi, Berachot 63b). est, care for and return of lost objects, future – to whom tzelem Elokim, malchut
Naturally, we value our own strengths and the preferential offering of charity shamayim and avodat Hashem (the divine
and inclinations more than those of and chessed) as well as emotional love image, divine sovereignty, and the service
others. This, coupled with feelings of and closeness. of G-d) are the basic categories of human
existence.”
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competitiveness, often triggers strife The fraternity of Ovdei Hashem
and even the baseless hatred that Many Modern Orthodox and Religious David HaMelech asserted camara-
caused the destruction of the Beit Zionist Jews more easily identify with derie with all G-d-fearing people. He
HaMikdash and our exile. open-minded secular Jews than with said to Hashem: Chaver ani l’chol asher
yerei’ucha, “I am a friend of all those
“Who is wise? One who learns from all more parochial, yeshivish Jews. This is who fear You.” Though those who fear
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people” (Avot 4:1) The more different especially true in Israel, where Religious Hashem may serve Him in different
people are from us, the more we can Zionist Jews serve shoulder-to-shoulder ways, we are united by our shared
learn from them, which helps us appre- with secular Jews in the IDF. goals and mission.
ciate and, ultimately, love one another. Nevertheless, our community should
Scan here to Identity through identification
join Rabbi The periods of the Three Weeks and share a unique bond with those who
Taragin’s Nine Days, culminating with Tisha share and live by our core Torah As Modern Orthodox Jews, we ambi-
daily Divrei B’Av, are a time when we are meant to values. We should identify most with tiously seek to learn from the best that
Torah work on appreciating other Jews. We Jews who believe in and appreciate the world has to offer – an approach
WhatsApp Hashem’s creation of the world and that can help us appreciate the
group will do this by reflecting on our rela- of man in His image, His redemption strengths of all Jews, and the Charedi
tionships with other Jews and other of the Jewish people from Egypt in community most of all. As Torah Jews,
segments of the Jewish community. order to serve Him, and His giving our two communities share a way of

One people – the existential base us the Torah and mitzvot as guides of life committed to Hashem’s Torah,
mitzvot, and master plan. May we
how to do so. We should feel closest to
Our relationship with other Jews and those who dedicate their lives to avodat always see the good in one another!
with all of humanity has a deep, exis- Hashem. Chazal described the special
tential root. Based on the mishnah in relationship we have with Jews com-
Avot (1:14) which questions the worth mitted to Torah and mitzvot as “achicha 1. Rechovot HaNahar 3:20. See also Sefat Emet,
of one who cares only about himself, baTorah u’vamitzvot”. The Torah’s com- Korach 5647.

Rav Shimon Shkop explains that we mandments to love, respect and assist 2. “Centrist Orthodoxy: A Spiritual Accounting”, in
By His Light: Character and Values in the Service of G-d
are meant to see our existence as inclu- other Jews apply most to those who
sive of all of Hashem’s creation (Sha’arei share our Torah values (Yevamot 24b). 3. Tehillim 119:63. The verse implies we should
A member of also feel an affinity towards other G-d-fearing
the Mizrachi Yosher, Introduction). This applies to Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein wrote: people even if they are non-Jewish.
Speakers Bureau all of humanity, whom Hashem cre- “When all is said and done, we should Rabbi Reuven Taragin is Educational Direc-
mizrachi.org/ ated in His image, and particularly to recognize and realize that what we tor of Mizrachi and Dean of the Yeshivat
speakers Hashem’s children, the Jewish people. share with the Rightist community Hakotel Overseas Program.

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