kfb:
Actually, he meant the same gender, regardless if Jewish. If I remember correctly, afilu nachri bshuk, even a non-Jew in the street. It does not say the same about a woman. Please read my earlier posts. I’d not like to get into arguments. (It bode me no good previously). I will ??”? not be drawn into machlokes, argument, bickering etc. It’s not what I’m here for.
Regarding your statement about our religion now being “judgmental”, kindly remember the sheer hatred Rabbi Akiva had, when yet unlearned, towards Talmidei Chachamim. Do you begin to fathom the Kedushah that permeated our nation then? How every single issue was weighed and analyzed from all angles before taking action. Our code of laws nowadays is but an echo of the laws and customs followed in the era of the the Tanaaim, Bais Hamikdash.
They sure were ohev as habrios umkarvon ltorah (take a peek at Avos), but it definitely was not a free-for-all, anything-goes, friendship, brotherhood society. No. Not at all.