Reply To: Ahavas Chinam (cringe)

I should have explained what makes me cringe:

1)As Torah613Torah has pointed out – it is a new-age-y term not found (to my albeit limited knowledge) anywhere in either classical or contemporary Jewish literature. This is so even though in literally countless places starting with Mishna and Gemara up until contemporary Sifrei Mussar, there is a wealth of writing dealing with the mitzva of loving a fellow Jew. I’m sure they could have all thought of that term yet they clearly felt it was inapplicable for whatever reason. Do we need to try and be smarter?

2)If you translate it into English you come up with a term that has terrible connotations.

3)It is borrowed from ‘Sinas Chinam’ which while making sense in that context (i.e. the idea of hating someone for no reason), makes little sense in its opposite context. You are not supposed to love people for no reason. You are supposed to love them for an excellent reason – namely that they are part of our family, the Jewish people and G-d has commanded us to love each Jew.