Love comes from seeing the positive or yourself in another. Sometimes I find it very useful to imagine aanother jew I have trouble loving as if he is my brother or father. This immediately changes the way I think about him allowing me to judge much more favorably and if the imagery is sustained, even love like a brother. Giving is usually a result of that perspective not a cause. In fact ahavah, love and achvah, brotherlinness probably have more etymological connection than the Aramaic hav, to give, as Rabbi Dessler suggests. However there may be an indirect connection through ta’ava desire and avah, longing, passion, or avah with a Beth meaning will. This may become a willingness to give or give in. Abba, father may also be connected to love. (Some of these ideas come from ‘the origin of speeches’ by Isaac Mozeson.)
Menu