The special nature of these days, the days of counting the Omer, is clearly felt. No weddings are held. Celebrations are postponed. People often talk about the lesson from the death of twenty-four thousand disciples of Rabbi Akiva.
But to what extent do we manage to internalize the message?
The concept of 'love of Israel' and the verse 'Love your neighbor as yourself' accompany us in kindergarten and throughout the entire education system. We sang songs, hung posters, wrote essays, and were engaged in tasks of helping others.
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So how come there is still so much friction and quarreling among us?
The devil is trying
It turns out that precisely in view of the great necessity of love of Israel, the great blessing it brings, and its being a means of hastening redemption – the devil of discord strives with all his might to harm it. It is further stated that precisely in the Land of Israel there is a special intensification of the urge to try to ignite the fire of hatred, to pit one against another, and to fan the flames of strife.
We are required to be especially vigilant and cautious so as not to fall into the trap, and not to be dragged along by the tricks of the instinct that tries to justify the dispute with all kinds of excuses.
Every morning we ask, "Do not bring me into temptation," because we are not always able to stand the test. It is one thing to learn the story of the sages about the old man Hillel, who was infinitely patient even with that poor man who stood on Shabbat Eve at the door of his house and called out, "Who is here, Hillel?" It is another thing entirely to act according to this scale of values in real life.
Internalizing the need to beware of controversy as if it were fire can help us avoid it in times of trial. At that crucial moment, the urge provides us with countless reasons and justifications for why we should fight back, why not be among those who are offended and not offended. As is its custom, it also dresses its arguments in the guise of Torah and fear of God, and then the challenge becomes doubly difficult.
The advice that will help us stand the test is to constantly remember that discord and hatred of brothers are like wildfire, consuming everything. How do we view today the two organizations that failed to cooperate in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising? Who cares about the claims, just or unjust, of each side?
No excuses
The stumbling block lies in the little word 'but'. Yes, of course, Ahavat Yisrael – 'but...'. It is clear that controversy must be avoided – 'but' here there is an issue that cannot be ignored. Under the guise of this 'but' the devil of controversy sneaks into us and again and again ignites incendiary devices.
This "sorrow" should be treated in the same way that we treat leaven on Passover or eating tripe. Should we say: Yes, of course, it is forbidden to eat leaven on Passover - "sorrow"? Should we rush to determine that a certain situation permits eating tripe? And if someone truly thinks that a very exceptional situation has arisen that justifies violating Ahavat Yisrael - he would do well to ask a rabbi, a halachic arbiter, just as he would ask if a question arose regarding kashrut or the mezuzah scroll.
Love for Israel without conditions, without 'grief', out of caution not to offend a Jew, God forbid - they will bring our imminent redemption, soon in our days.
