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It is the responsibility of every Jew to bring others close to Torah and Mitzvos. The Ten Mitzvah Campaigns form the basis for this effort. But they all begin with the Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel – to love one’s fellow Jew. When we reach out to others with love, then both we and those we reach are deeply inspired to strengthen the observance of all Mitzvos.

Through the years of the Rebbe’s leadership, he launched a total of ten campaigns which encouraged and promoted the observance of various commandments. Each campaign had a clear and obvious mission, yet the Campaign of Ahavas Yisrael -- love of one’s fellow, had not been clearly defined. Here the Rebbe explains why.

In the course of our spiritual development we may sometimes experience a pause in our personal growth. One can advance only so far before facing the boundaries of human limitation. But by humbling oneself, one becomes a vessel – able to receive G-d’s infinite blessings which uplift one to new spiritual heights.

The Rebbe speaks from his office, two nights after suffering a massive heart attack: For certain reasons this talk was delayed until after the Festival... It is, however, being heard now even by fellow Jews who are distant physically, but close spiritually – for the spiritual is what Jews consider most important, especially when this unity is forged through Torah.

Even after a week of consecration for the Holy Tabernacle, the Jews still did not merit for G-d Himself to consecrate the Tabernacle. Only when Aaron brought his sacrifice on the eighth day, did G-d finally manifest His awesome Glory. The sages teach: “Be a student of Aaron: love peace, pursue peace, love all creatures, and bring them close to Torah.” These virtues of Aaron accomplished more than all the Seven Days of Consecration.

Someone once asked my father-in-law, the Rebbe: “Jewish Law describes certain types of Jews that one should shun. Why, then, do you treat all Jews equaly with love?”

Our sages teach that the Holy Temple was destroyed because of the baseless hatred that Jews harbored towards one another. It follows then, that rectifying that problem will be the catalyst for rebuilding it. And Speedily.

The mitzvah to “love your fellow as yourself” raises a dilemma. What should you do when your needs are different from your friend’s? If you are thirsty while your friend is hungry, it would be un-loving to offer him a drink instead of food. If you have time for Torah study while your friend is struggling to make ends meet, it is wrong to help him learn Torah but ignore his need for help earning a livelihood.

To counter escalating conflicts in the world, the Rebbe requests that all Jews add in prayer for world peace and tranquility: It is crucial for all Jews, without exception, to begin their daily prayers by declaring, “I hereby accept upon myself the Mitzvah to ‘Love your fellow as yourself.’” This not only prevents quarreling in general; it will bring an end to the exile, itself caused by a lack of love for others. (19 Kislev, 5744 • November 24, 1983)

The Sages instruct us in Ethics of Our Fathers: “Be of the disciples of Aaron the High Priest.” Aaron was the holiest Jew. Yet, which of his qualities do the Sages instruct us to emulate? “Love peace and pursue peace; love all creatures and draw them close to Torah.”

The Talmud tells us that 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died because “they did not treat one another with respect.” But the plague ended on Lag BaOmer, which means they had remedied their actions and began to treat each other with the appropriate level of esteem.

Torah instructs Jewish children: If you see another person who is in need, whether spiritually or physically, reach out to him with love and help him get free of his predicament. Then proceed together, growing from each other’s successes.

Chassidim join together in singing the Jewish children’s classic “To Love a Fellow Jew” as the Rebbe distributes wine at the conclusion of Passover.

Rabbi Dovid Edelman was a student at 770 during the 1940s. One night, the Rebbe came out from the study of his father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe, with a fundamental lesson in loving one’s fellow Jew.

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Posner studied at 770 during the 1940s. In March 1948, he was sent out by Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch to travel through small American towns disseminating Jewish outreach material.

The Sages teach that the Holy Temple was destroyed on account of unwarranted hatred, and will be rebuilt through unwarranted love. Rabbi Pinchas Weberman recalls a private audience in 1973 where the Rebbe explained just how literal this teaching is.

Lelover Chassidim were well-known for their exceptional love for fellow Jews. You must teach all Jews, non-observant and observant alike, to have great love for one-another.

“D’Amato,” in Italian, means that you are permeated with love for the people around you. Lubavitch means ‘City of Love.’ We must go from strength to strength in all things and in a way which is permeated with love for all people.

Chabad Chassidim have always been working with Russian Jewry. Even under communism they drew Russian Jews close to Torah with love. Now that Jews are free to leave Russia, many have gone to Israel instead of other countries because they were encouraged by Chabad Chassidim.

The Lelov dynasty is renowned as lovers of Israel. Give this to charity in the Holy Land, and may you merit to bring good tidings for all of Israel. (Collage)