Ahavat Yisrael and Elu v'Elu

A colleague wrote concerning the recent interview with Rabbi Tendler (mentioned in the previous post):

«I see a love of Torah but a basic lack of ahavas Yisrael.»

I am not sure if this comment truly applies to Rabbi Tendler but this comment all too sadly does apply to many Jews and rabbis in all "denominations". This idea, though, still perhaps needs to be further examined.

I know this colleague follows the Carlebach tradition of Ahavat Yisroel. Similarly, there are parallel approaches such as

• Rav AI Kook's approach
• That of many Chabad Houses who embrace Jews just as they are
And
• The Writings of Rav Zelig Pliskin

To name a few

Former President Clinton voiced the following approach

We need to honor our unique communities, and yet, still overcome our differences by honoring our common humanity

To Paraphrase

We need to honor our own community's unique approaches to Torah, and yet we still need to overcome our differences by honoring our Common Jewish Heritage.

A constraint, though, can still be voiced. The call of Elu v'Elu is often made in support of this perspective, ultimately applied to defend pluralism within the Jewish community. Elu v'Elu, however, was meant to express the attitude that existed between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai and that should exist between variant views within parameters of Halacha. It was not and is not meant to apply to every disagreement found within the Jewish world. Nevertheless, in our relations with our fellow Jews, even if our dispute is outside the parameters of Elu v'Elu, there is still a call for ahavat Yisrael for we still are part of the one Jewish nation. However we approach divergent viewpoints, we must relate to a fellow Jew as exactly that -- a fellow Jew.

Shalom
RRW
(with input from RBH)