Is it Really All About Love?

The tenth step focuses on Rabbi Akiva’s statement: “Loving your fellow as yourself is a great principle of the Torah.” But if the principal of loving others is so important why wouldn’t the 12 steps begin with it? And if we are invoking the teachings of our Sages, shouldn’t we have better quoted Hillel who said that this is actually the entire Torah?! See how this really isn’t saying the expected and why it subtly conveys a surprising message that redirects your sacred mandate to make the world a better place and entirely reframes the notion of personal achievement and self-fulfillment.