Loving Your Friend

Obligation

1. There is a an obligation to love one's fellow Jew as he loves himself.

What does it Include?

1. Included in this commandment is to have pity on fellow Jews and on their money. Also, to speak positively of other Jews and to be concerned about their honor.
2. One should find joy in the successes of other and avoid feeling jealous just as one would celebrate his own success.
3. One absolutely may not get honor through the disgrace of his friend. Even if the friend isn't standing there, and didn't receive any embarassment, and even if one only embarrassed him in comparison to someone else's actions or deeds--one who does this has no share in the world to come, until he does Teshuva. .

Who is one Obligated to Love?

1. The mitzva to love your fellow applies to all Jews regardless of age or gender.
2. One is obligated to love his fellow, even if he doesn't love himself. Therefore it is forbidden to insult others even if one doesn't mind when others put him down.
3. The Mitzvah to love a fellow Jew applies even to a person who does not like or get along with other people and even if he insults or embarrasses them. As well, there is a mitzvah to do chessed and acts of kindness to a person who is selfish and does not do so for others.
4. There is a special mitzvah to love Torah Scholars beyond that of another Jew. For this reason, one should go out of their way and look for opportunities to benefit and provide assistance to such people.