Hatred is rampant in our world; no matter where you look, people are at each other's throats, and division in our world grows stronger every day. We know the golden rule, "love thy neighbor as thyself," which is in this week's Torah portion. However, I can't change how I feel. Should I just pretend to like them?
The answer indeed lies in this week's Torah portion Acharei Mos - Kedoshim. There, we learn the commandment "you shall not hate your fellow in your heart." We can clearly see that faking it isn't the advocated path; instead, we are told to address our underlying feelings and the way we feel. This can only be done if we properly address our feelings and communicate with our fellow. I know it is difficult and uncomfortable to talk and share what's bothering us with the other person, but the Torah tells us that we're all responsible for each other. Therefore, we must do whatever is necessary to address our feelings and remove the hate we carry to truly love one another like ourselves.
Nobody said it was easy, but the path set for us by G-d is to model this behaviour for the world. If we fail to do so, the world will continue to devolve into a self-consuming society of division and hatred, leading to our eventual destruction. Relationships among humans can be challenging, as G-d created each of us with our own unique perspective. It's hard to see the world any other way. Yet, we know that our future will depend on our ability to work together to achieve our shared mission of making this world a home for the Almighty. So, put down your phone and stop tweeting, posting, commenting, and chatting. Instead, talk directly to him/her. Tell them how you feel respectfully, and listen to them do the same. It might take a moment, but in short order, you will begin to see them as your fellow, as another person with a G-dly soul on their own journey through life. You might be shocked to find that the person you once hated, you now love.
Mission: You can't allow hatred to fester in your heart, so when it starts to sprout, compel yourself to have the tough conversation with your fellow and cleanse the poison from your midst so love can grow again.