Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 17:54:25 -0400 (EDT)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Loving Your Parents

Moshe Hillson responding to Hechtic123 in BM V2 #27 states that:
<  <  The Torah does not _command_ one's emotions as It commands one's deeds.
Emotions are improved by a gradual lifetime effort (such as through Mussar
or Hassidut), while actions are governed by the clear-cut 613 commandments
and the Shulchan Aruch derived from them.>  >

Actually this is not true. Every morning we read the shma which states
Love G-d thy L-rd(Dt06-05). Rashi on the spot explains HOW you can be
commanded to Love >  The chapter has a GENERAL-PARTICULAR format-- after
stating LOVE G-D the chapter continues MEMORIZE THE WORDS OF THIS LAW ON
YOUR HEART & SPEAK ABOUT THEM CONSTANTLY<   Thus the Torah identifies
learning as a method by which to love G-d. As the Rambam notes in the book
of commandments there are actually 2 separate commandments -- (a) To Love
G-d (b) To learn His law

Similarly there is a Biblical law to >  LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF<   This is
discussed in Rambam Mourning Chapter 14.

The Rav, Rabbi Joseph Baer Soloveitchick once discussed Moshe's question:
Is the commandment to love an emotional or action commandment. The Rav
explained that if you FEEL LOVE towards your neighbor then all consequent
actions (like eg helping them with groceries) are FULFILLMENTS of LOVING
YOUR NEIGHBOR; by contrast if you hate the person then nevertheless the 4
rabbinic commandments (a) helping someone get married (b) visiting the sick
(c)comforting mourners (d) gladdening the bride and groom--these 4 actions are
FULFILLMENTS of the emotional commandment even if you hate the person (This
thought of the Rav was published in a letter to the editor in the early 70s
in Tradition).

In conclusion there are both commandments of FEELING and ACTION

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA
Dept of Math; RHendel@Towson.Edu
Moderator Rashi is Simple; http://www.RashiYomi.Com/

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