73. Hating Another Jew

Deios 6:5

If one Jew hates another in his heart, he violates the Torah prohibition of “Do not hate your brother in your heart” (Leviticus 19:17). A person would not be liable to the penalty of lashes for violating this prohibition because he committed no act. The Torah only commands us not to hate someone in our hearts. If one person strikes or insults another, while these things are prohibited, he does not violate the prohibition of “you shall not hate.”

Deios 6:6

If one person should happen to wrong another, the offended party should not remain silent and hate him for it, as II Samuel 13:22 tells us regarding some bad people, “Avshalom did not speak to Amnon, neither good nor bad, because Avshalom hated Amnon.” Instead, one must discuss the matter and ask why the other person wronged him, as per Leviticus 19:17, “You shall surely rebuke your fellow.” If the one who wronged him then asks for forgiveness, he must grant it. One must not be cruel when asked for forgiveness, as we see from Genesis 20:17, “Abraham prayed to God....” (The context is that Abraham prayed to God for Avimelech, who was being punished for wronging Abraham.)