originally posted Aug. 2, 2014
We are told that the churban Bayit Sheni, the destruction of the Second Temple, was a result of sinat chinum. But what does this term mean?
Most
define it in the realm of "cause", focusing on a negative cause for
hatred -- which is then expanded by many individuals to include any
reason for hatred.
Is it true that there are no possible
acceptable or even good reasons to hate? More significantly, though, is
one able to control this emotional response of hatred?
Reviewing the sources regarding the concept of sinat chinum brings someone into the halachic discussion on hatred in general. This discussion focuses on how one should deal with this emotion, and what is the correct effect of hatred, not on hatred's cause. In this light, the term sinat chinum may not really be describing anarchy in the causes of hatred but rather anarchy in the effects of hatred.
Further on this subject, I invite you to read a further discussion of this issue in Nishma Insight 5757-22,23: Defining Sinat Chinum on the Nishma website.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
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