Stop Baseless Hatred

Isha Yiras Hashem and Rebbetzin Devorah Fastag

Edit: Rebbetzin Devorah Fastag says we are co-authors on this one.

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The sages say that the First Temple was destroyed because of the sins of idolatry, immorality, and bloodshed. The Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred.¹ The First Temple was only destroyed for 70 years, but the second has been destroyed for millennia. Judging by the punishment, it seems baseless hatred is worse than idolatry, immorality, and bloodshed.

But why should the destruction of the Temple concern people today, especially those who are not Jewish? And even if you are Jewish, the Second Temple was centuries ago. Why should we care now?

We care because, without the Temple, we are missing an extremely close relationship with G-d. Any good relationship with G-d that we have today is pale indeed compared to what existed when the Temple stood.

And this is true for all of us, even those who are not Jewish. When the Temple stood, anyone, Jewish or not, could come and pray there and have his prayers answered. The light in the Temple candelabra (menorah) sent out a spiritual light to all the world, and anyone who wished could respond to it and find G-d. Jews were commanded to come to the Temple for many occasions, and when they came they could feel G-d's presence in a way that was almost palpable, something that could not be felt anywhere else in the world.

In the Temple, many people were able to have Ruach HaKodesh, a Divine communication, somewhat less than prophecy, but still a real communication from G-d. Sins weren't only forgiven, they disappeared. Without the Temple the spiritual blockages caused by sins remain in the world with no way to remove them. True, we can, and should, repent, and we will be forgiven; but the clouding over of G-d's presence, the inability to see spirituality because of those sins, still remains as a cloud in the world, even after repentance.

Even the physical aspects of life were much better for everyone, in the entire world, when the Temple stood. The fruits and the meat tasted so much better. But why should we be denied better tasting food because of the sins of our ancestors, who lived so long ago?

The answer is that we lack the Temple not because of our ancestors, but because of us. The Sages said that every generation in which the Temple is not rebuilt, is considered as if it was destroyed in their times. If the generation merited to have a Divine, miraculous Temple, they would. If they don't have it, it means that those sins that destroyed it are still with us. ²

At this point, many of you pat yourself on the back. After all, you don't hate anybody for no reason! In fact, you don't hate that many people at all, and the few people you do hate really deserve it! After all, they are so hateable!

So we think.

But nearly all hatred is baseless hatred. If we understood where the other person was coming from, the hatred would disappear. It remains only because we never face the fact that it's baseless. I will tell you a silly story about how people think about baseless hatred to illustrate this point.

There were two workers in a shop, stocking the shelves. They were clueless about why they hated each other but they insisted they did. Finally, their boss was so frustrated with them that he hired a detective. Even the detective couldn't figure it out. Isn't that baseless hatred?

Well yes, of course it is, but there is so much more than that.

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If you can't speak civilly to someone who is different than you… that is baseless hatred.

If you think bashing someone on the internet is fun, and shows your great wit… that is baseless hatred.

If you hate someone out of jealousy, because they have more talent, money, beauty, honor, intelligence or anything people desire… that is baseless hatred.

If you hate someone because they really did something wrong, but so did you, many times… that is baseless hatred.

If you hate someone because they are not intelligent, not talented, etc., etc., and that annoys you, and you want to shame them for it… that is also baseless hatred.

In short, if you hate anyone for any reason other than that they are truly evil… this is baseless hatred.

And nowadays with all our marvelous technology, you can attack and shame people before millions of people!! You can tear apart someone you don't even know, just because you disagree with them!! Isn't that great progress for mankind?📵

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Many of us believe that we have excellent reasons for our hate, but are we right?

Maybe the person hasn't realized that they did wrong?

Maybe they have psychological problems, and they can't help themselves?

Maybe they have a different view than yours, because they have a different nature, a different upbringing, etc.?

And maybe, if you would treat them better, they would also be better?

Certainly shaming and shouting isn't going to improve them. And if you hate them because they are better than you, that is really baseless hatred!

So, dear friends, as we approach Tisha B'Av, let's take a moment to reflect on our own feelings towards others. Let's be honest with ourselves and find those hidden corners where baseless hatred might lurk. Let's all strive to be the reason the Temple gets a little closer to being whole again.

1. https://ohr.edu/holidays/tisha_bav/mourning/6980

2. Ibid. Sources provided upon request, most can be found at Ohr Somayach’s website.