Positive Mitzvah 207: Loving a Convert
Deuteronomy 10:19 "Love the convert"

A person who has converted to Judaism is regarded highly by the Torah.

The convert's tremendous strength and determination is appreciated and respected. He is called a "righteous convert" for taking upon himself the Jewish lifestyle.

He merits special attention and the Torah gives us this specific commandment, instructing us to love him.

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Negative Mitzvah 302: It is forbidden to hate one another
Leviticus 19:17 "You shall not hate your brother in your heart"

HaShem considers each one of us His "Chosen Children."

He wants us to feel close to each other and care for one another, just like we would for our own brother or sister.

The Torah commands us not to hate any other Jew.

We could keep this Negative Mitzvah easily by considering all Jews as our brothers and sisters.

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Positive Mitzvah 205: Rebuking a Fellow Jew
Leviticus 19:17 "You shall certainly rebuke your neighbor"

Sarah and Rosie were waiting on line at the candy store.

Suddenly, Sarah saw Rosie's hand slip across the counter and take a bubble gum without paying for it. Sarah couldn't believe her eyes! She didn't know what to do.

"If I tell on her," she thought "I'll lose a friend. Even if I convince her to put it back, she'll still be embarrassed and will probably avoid me in the future."

Sarah shrugged her shoulders and thought to herself, "Why should I cause trouble between us? I'll just pretend I didn't see -it's between her and HaShem and the storekeeper anyway..."

Sarah was unaware that the Torah does not want her to overlook her friend's wrongdoing.

We are commanded to reprove our fellow Jew if we see him breaking Torah law. We must try to prevent him from doing wrong by reprimanding and explaining to him that such an act is forbidden. We must not keep silent! On the contrary, making him aware of his mistake can help him improve himself and become a better person.

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Negative Mitzvah 303: It is forbidden to embarrass others
Leviticus 19:17 "And not bear sin because of him"

It is forbidden to embarrass or shame another person.

Even if we mean well, or we are trying to teach him a lesson and correct a wrong deed, we must be careful to say the right thing in a proper way and never cause another person embarrassment.

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The ultimate goal of the creation of all worlds lies in the lowest, most mundane physical realm. To elevate a structure, you cannot pull from the top -- you must lift from the bottom.

From: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman - tzvif@aol.com