You may have real reason for disliking someone. He may be a bad influence. He may be corrupt and repugnant.
But as long as he is not actively tearing the world apart—if he needs a favor, go out of your way and do it for him.
First of all, he is still your brother. Secondly, you’ll be a better person for it.
We should pray for those who’ve done evil unto us and even plan to do more evil unto us. Pray for those who hate us and even dislike us; our prays will stop their evil, hate and dislike for us and will prevent our own hearts from wanting to do the same unto them. We should remember to treat others as we would want them to treat us, and even when they still treat us badly never refuse them or anyone help. It’s our duty as creations from the divine one to never walk away from anyone who may need a helping hand in any way; we’ll become better examples of person’s of the Jewish faith. Reply
Aid Your Nemesis, Aid Yourself
Our egoistic mindset always loathes differences in others compared to me. We instinctively desire to attach ourselves with others of same qualities, ideas and who can do good for me.
The patriarch Abraham discovered this negative force that works against each other. Above this force that tears us apart, he perceived the Higher Force that unites us above this egoistic force.
G_d gave us this destructive nature to use as a tool to rise above our self. When we 'cover' these feelings of hatred towards the other and aspire to rise above our lowly nature, then we can connect to the G_dly spark with the other and aid him as if he is part of me.
Then we implement Abraham's rule to "love thy friend as thyself". Instead of harming each other in Babylon, this group that joined him reached great spiritual levels.
Kabbalists revealed we are all connected as one interdependent network. To function we must treat our 'enemy' as myself. otherwise the system malfunctions as we witness many crisis now
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My own worst nemesis I aid my nemesis too much because so often I am my own nemesis. Reply
No Comprende
For my brother "creo que si". For my enemigo, "creo que no.
In my case, G-d has concealed this face from me, although I know (daat) who he is... I will pray that he be delivered from the bondage of distructive decisions.
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Aiding Your Nemesis
Which halacha? (I recently started the daily halacha course with Rabbi Zajac - am way back in the beginning, 3:6 yesterday.) Although I remember reading your reference in the past, I have no idea where to find it now.
Based on the terrorism we have seen in recent months, I actually think "destructive" is a better word. These terroristic acts destroy core values. The use of “actively tearing the world apart” feels like white-washing the destructive behaviors – whether on an individual or global level.
I don't have a better word - know how difficult it is to translate Yiddish, even Hebrew into English.
At a personal level, I would not have the ability to help a terrorist, whether domestic or foreign. I'm not even sure I would be able to help a "dysfunctional” person; I would like to think Torah and my core values would enable me to do the right thing.
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Know your enemy
The enemy can be yourself, your best friend, your neighbour.
The only true friend who we can trust is G-d
When we do not like ourselves we are destructive towards our self, our own soul.
G-d instructs us through Torah and sometimes it is best just to follow the instruction and see the consequence. A question often raises false teaching that has to be eradicated.
The Torah will always give the correct guidance, it is the Pharoah that resists this.
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"Destructive" This is based on a halacha, in a case where you can help one of two people—one of them being your friend and the other your enemy. The halacha is that you help the enemy first. The condition, however, is that we are not speaking of someone such as an informer or such who is actively occupied in tearing apart your community. I've attempted to address this by changing the word "destructive" to "actively tearing apart society." Still very unsatisfactory, however. Suggestions are welcome. Reply
Back on 1-12-16 I posted that I thought destructive was a better word; I feel that much stronger now. My logic for the feeling is because of Pittsburg and Poway. These acts were destruction of life and physical wellbeing (Rabbi Goldstein especially).
Pittsburg started us on "fighting" - it culminated in Poway when action taken was to get children to safety and two men who rushed the attacker - aided by Divine intervention ... new weapons normally don't just jam up.
Am Yisrael Chai!
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Nemesis Dear rabbi, this is my first time hearing this term. If a person is not so good to relate to I do not think it is safe to go out of my way to help. I am not sure of the scenario he is my brother either. Humanly speaking I try to keep the situation amicable but if his spirit is not right I run the other direction as fast and as far as I can! Reply
It is complicated.
What if the one who is doing the favor had low self esteem and is a known pushover then what?
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Aid Your Nemesis
what is a Nemesis, could it be anyone who means you harm? does that make them Evil or Wicked? my mind goes back to a time when david sent some of his companions to seek basic essentials from Nimrod and his wife and how they were chased away empty handed,
i recall this angered david who then was angered so much he went to kill Nimrod for his arrogence. so does this make david the Nemesis? who is the Nemesis? was david seeking payment for providing a serve never asked for? as we all know, david was upright in the sights of the one upon the throne, this is all that matters, and david expressed a righteous indignation many haughty have towards those who are in need of the simplist of things, they treat them as thugs thus they hatch into thugs in a community that see’s no value in men. a global society that has become that which it was given ample instruction on how to prevent from occuring is mind boggling
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Aid your nemesis?
Rabbi Freeman,
I don't quite understand what you mean by Nemesis, "Nemesis" is a very broad term after all. Does Nemesis include the Muslim terrorists, who go out of their way to kill the infidel? Why would I want to help a person who is out to destroy me?
Perhaps you could be so kind as to further elucidate the matter...
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Terrorism
He said this was only true of someone who "is not actively tearing the world apart".
If he is a terrorist, of any religion (and most terrorists are not Muslim), then he is "actively tearing the world apart", so you would not be obligated to help him.
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Good streach Like to think/feel it as a true brother. How else? Reply
Aid Your Nemesis
Rabbi Freeman,
I like most of what you say if not most of your comments.There are corrupt people I have met and I dont think that by doing them a favor they are going to change their behaviour. I do not understand your logic. Perhaps you can explaain what you mean in a different way.
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This Nemesis, thank you Tzivi always in timing. I am certainly glad it is not clearly clarified the extent or magnitude of this destructive attribute. After all cunning not immediately measured is deceiving. Our inner knowledge can and will identify who is or will be artifice of our destruction. Confidence and complete servitude in compliance to the law will be measured weighted by ever present signs of the all emcompassing which abounds+sorrounds all. There exists everlasting present directives which when pondered, seen, & understood will always render that which is surmountable veracity. A lie, the intention to deceive us trying to infringe destruction becomes ever so obvious and appaent . Eyes, Ears, Senses fully focused in truth do recognize those deceiving actions,words, even the tone is different. Truth is so pristine it is unmistakeable. In hope I made the point clearer. Reply
as long as he is not destructive.
this is so true, i had and have doing that , giving my hand and doing favors to people like this and I have learned lots and im still learning from it. no matter what if we do it, believe me that makes you a better person and in addition to you start understanding life and purposes in life.
may G-d be with you all.
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Who qualifies? Rabbi Freeman... do you mean anyone, and everyone, regardless..... what if the nemesis a muslim? Probably you will not anwser this question, because it is not "Politcally correct" Reply
Doing someone a favor What if the person asks for repeated favors - could it be that we keep people from growing by being too kind? Reply
what is meant by "as long as he is not destructive" ? Reply
Nemesis Does your message apply to our working relationships with non-Jews? Reply
According to our ethics, if your enemy is hungry you should give him food and this action will heap live coals on his head! That's not very friendly if one is supposed to express love for him!