Mivtza Ahavas Yisroel
The ahavas yisroel Campaign (מבצע אהבת ישראל) was one of the Ten Campaigns declared by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in 1976 (תשל"ו). The Rebbe introduced this campaign as a call to foster greater love and understanding among Jews, emphasizing that it is a fundamental commandment in the Torah.
History of the Campaign
The campaign was declared on 18 Elul 1976, during a special talk given by the Rebbe. In this talk, the Rebbe stressed that every Jew is obligated to influence those around them and promote the mitzvah of "Ahavat Yisrael" – loving another Jew as oneself, based on the Torah's commandment "ואהבת לרעך כמוך" ("Love your neighbor as yourself").
The Rebbe explained that all the campaigns he declared are not merely personal mitzvot but are meant to affect and inspire the community as a whole. The "Love of Israel" campaign was at the core of these efforts, as it represents a fundamental principle of the Torah, akin to "the whole Torah in one verse" as expressed by the sages. The Rebbe emphasized that this commandment is foundational for the practice of all other mitzvot, as Jews are considered one united body, and the fulfillment of a mitzvah by one Jew affects the entire Jewish people. Therefore, the campaign to love fellow Jews applies not only to one's personal actions but to how one influences others to live in a spirit of unity and love.
Details of the Campaign
The essence of the "Love of Israel" campaign is to encourage Jews to love and care for one another, as if they are loving themselves. This mitzvah should extend beyond one's immediate circle and be practiced universally among all Jews.
As with all the Rebbe’s campaigns, this is not just about personal observance but about inspiring others. The campaign urges individuals to impact their communities by demonstrating love for their fellow Jews and fostering a collective spirit of unity and care. The Love of Israel encompasses not only showing kindness to a "stranger" but, even more so, to those who are closest to oneself, including one’s family and loved ones.
The campaign encourages practical steps to enact this love, such as:
- Showing empathy and kindness to every Jew, regardless of background or status.
- Promoting peaceful relations within families and communities, as a microcosm of the greater Jewish unity.
- Encouraging acts of charity, kindness, and mutual support among all Jews.
In essence, this campaign serves as a reminder of the importance of internalizing and manifesting the commandment to love one's fellow Jew, reinforcing the interconnectedness and shared responsibility within the Jewish people.
| The Rebbe's Mivtzoim |
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| The Ten Mivtzoim |
| Tefillin · Torah · Mezuzah · Tzedakah · Bayis Molei Seforim · NeSHeK · Kashrus · Taharas Hamishpacha · Chinuch · Ahavas Yisroel |
| Various Mivtzoim |
| Mesibos Shabbos · Shofar · Lulav · Chanukah · Purim · Matzah · והשיב לב אבות על בנים · Lag BaOmer · Aseres Hadibros · Ois B'sefer Torah · Hakhel · Moshiach · Yom Huledes · הקהלת קהילות · Printing the Tanya · |
| V – T |