Studies in the Limudah Kudsha – Part 1
“There are two ways, one of life and one of death; but there is certainly a great difference between these two ways. The way of life, then, is this: First, you shall love Alaha who made you; second, your neighbour as yourself; and you should never do to others, what you yourself would not want done to you by others.” (Limudah)
Targum on the Limudah
This is the way of life: In the beginning you should know to love Alaha who is your Creator; the next is that you should love your neighbour as if he were yourself; and you should never treat others in a way that you would not want them to treat you.
The love of Alaha and the love of one’s neighbour has always been a central theme in the Faith of the Holy Assembly of Jerusalem. We are taught that, in the time of ancient Israel, King David boiled the Mitzvoth down to just eleven parts (Psalm 15:1-5); the Prophet Micah boiled them down to three (6:8), the Prophet Isaiah to two (56:1), the Prophets Amos (5:4) and Habakkuk (2:4) to just one each.
“You shall not bear any enmity against the children of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself; I am Mar-Yah.” (Leviticus 19:18)
In Pirke Avoth (Ethics of the Fathers) we see the importance of this theme with the following verse: “The honour of your fellow man should be as valuable to you as that of your own, and do not be easy to anger…The possessions of your fellow man should be as precious to you as that of your own.”
This first verse in Limudah is a reiteration of Rabbeinu Yeshua’s words which can be found in the 22nd chapter of Mar Mattai:
“When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together, and asked one of them, who knew the Aurayta [Torah], to test him: “Rabbi, which mitzvah is the greatest in the Aurayta?” Yeshua said to him: “You shall love Mar-Yah your Alaha, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first mitzvah. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two mitzvoth hang the Aurayta and the Prophets.”
We are also taught by Rabbeinu Yeshua, “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and remember that your brother holds a grudge against you, leave your offering there upon the altar, and first go to be reconciled with your brother, and then come offer your offering; for it is a great sin to cause distress to the spirit of your brother. (Mar Mattai 5:23,24) In the sixth chapter of Mar Mattai, we read Mshikha’s words: “If you forgive men their wrongdoing, your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their wrongdoing, neither will your Father forgive your wrongdoing.” (6:14,15).
The story of Joseph receiving his brothers is a beautiful and praiseworthy example of forgiveness and love for one’s fellow-man. According to the Scriptures Yoseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery in Egypt as a youth. There he rose to become one of the most powerful ministers of the land. When his brothers came of Egypt during a year of famine to request food, Yoseph revealed himself to them.
May Alaha bless you,
Brother Michael