Rabbi Yigal Cohen – The Three Loves of a Jew

It is said in the name of the holy Baal Shem Tov, that a Jew must love three things: the first is the love of Hashem, the second is the love of Israel, and the third is the love of the holy Torah. It is impossible to love one without loving the others. Imagine someone coming to you and saying, "I love you very much, but I hate your children, who are part of you," or "I love you, but I do not appreciate your books." You would immediately respond that their love is not genuine and is merely superficial.

This is exactly how the Creator perceives those who hate His son or daughter, as if, Heaven forbid, they hate Him. Often, interpersonal transgressions are viewed more seriously by Hashem than those between man and Hashem, especially since even Yom Kippur does not atone for interpersonal transgressions.

A person who has many enemies cannot attain true joy, because whenever their names are mentioned, joy departs from him. Seeing them on the street brings a pang to his heart, and if he hears that they have succeeded more than him in business, his anger will reach the heavens.

Moreover, one who hates another transgresses a prohibition from the Torah (Leviticus 19:17) "Do not hate your brother in your heart" and generally falls into gossip and slander, even damaging others' property or body, Heaven forbid. King David sealed the fate of the slanderer (Psalms 12:4) "May Hashem cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks proud things."

In contrast, to a Jew who speaks good things about their friend and refrains from deceitful speech, King David promised (Psalms 34:13) "Who is the man who desires life, loves days, to see good? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit." Who among us doesn't want insurance against cancer and wishes to see good?

I know that some readers think that it is very difficult not to speak gossip. I thought of you, dear readers, and I once thought the same, but b'H the Creator granted me the merit to learn and teach almost daily one law regarding gossip and love of Israel, and it has left a wonderful impression on me.

Therefore, I recommend that you set a regular study with your partner of one of these important laws, and you are assured that only good things will enter your home.

Another thing that helps greatly in loving Jews is the words of the Tanna in Avot (Ethics of the Fathers 1:6) "Judge every person favorably." How many times have you heard that someone spoke ill of you, and inwardly you said, "How little he knows what I am really going through."

In our sins, the evil inclination is quick to judge others for us and determine their fate before we even know them or hear their side, thus developing baseless hatred. In the book 'Chafetz Chaim,' it is written that when a person gives a friend the benefit of the doubt, they fulfill a positive commandment from the Torah (Leviticus 19:15) "In righteousness, you shall judge your neighbor."

Once, a study partner asked me, "Do you know Rabbi So-and-so?" Of course, I replied, "a very learned man!" "I do not understand why everyone praises him. I saw him arrive at Shacharit prayers at 'Yishtabach,' put on his tefillin, pray the amidah, remove the tefillin, and leave!"

I waited a few moments to calm down and responded, "Know that this rabbi suffers from a serious intestinal disease, needing to use the restroom every ten minutes. According to the law, he is exempt from public prayer, and he makes great efforts to attend the synagogue for communal prayer. A week later, the righteous rabbi was hospitalized for a complicated surgery."

I do not presume in these short words to transform the reader into a lover of Israel. My intention is only to inspire you to go and learn from the holy books the greatness of loving the people of Israel and the right ways to attain such love.

I will conclude with a thought that greatly helps me to love every Jew: "You are children of Hashem, your God." We all love to remember that we are children of the blessed Creator, and even more than children since within us stirs a soul that is a part of Him. But when it comes to our friend, it is hard for us to remember that they are also a child of the King of Kings, and if, Heaven forbid, we hate them in our hearts, we are hating a son of the Creator, and even a part of Him, which is the friend's soul.

And if, Heaven forbid, we speak gossip about them, we are speaking ill of the son of the King of Kings, and similarly with any harm we may inflict on them.

However, if we bring joy to our friends, speak well of them, and strive to judge them favorably at every opportunity, we will undoubtedly bring joy to our Father in Heaven, who will reward us with goodness and blessings.

Worry

The only sure way I know to remove worry from our hearts is to learn daily about the greatness of trust and the way to achieve it. As written in the Gate of Trust, "One of the virtues achieved by the one with trust is peace of mind."

There is no psychologist in the world who can truly calm a worried person. If the worrier says they are afraid of contracting a certain disease, what can the doctor say? It seems there is reason for concern. And so with all fears, there is no one in the world who can guarantee the worrier that their worries won't come true!

And do not think that reading chapters on trust once will suffice to remove worry from your heart, because the evil inclination renews itself every day with different and new excuses, and the soul needs its calming medicine, called trust in Hashem.

Therefore, I urge you, dear readers, take for yourselves any book that strengthens you in trust and love of Hashem, and set a fixed time to study it every day!

I testify about myself that every time I finish the sweet study, I feel an inner peace, and more than that, the trust brings about supernatural salvations.

The book 'Yigal Libi B'Yishuatecha' can be obtained at select bookstores and at Hidabroot Shops