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(JNS) In 2016, my Chabad House faced a problem. The political climate surrounding that year’s election was particularly heated, and some of the tensions from the outside began seeping into our synagogue’s programming and social gatherings. The rhetoric and vitriol grew so intense that we decided to enact a new rule: No politics in shul.
We didn’t do this because politics are inherently negative. In the right context, political discussions can be important and productive. However, we realized that amid the polarized atmosphere, the community was losing our sense of unity and care for one another. As the old adage goes, you can’t have community if there’s no unity. A shul should be a true Beit Knesset—a gathering place where all are welcome, regardless of political affiliation or beliefs.
As we approach another election this year, the steps we took eight years ago continue to ensure that our synagogue remains a place of unity and connection.
This theme is echoed in the Jewish calendar. On Aug. 12-13, we mark Tisha B’Av, a day of fasting and mourning that commemorates the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Our sages teach that the Temple was destroyed because the Jewish people exhibited sinat chinam or “baseless hatred” towards one another. Their disunity and communal infighting set the stage for the Roman armies to breach the walls and destroy the city of Jerusalem.
The remedy, our sages teach, is ahavat chinam—baseless love. This means treating others with kindness and judging them favorably, even when you disagree with their beliefs or choices.
A powerful example of this comes from the story of the birth of the Baal Shem Tov.
At the turn of the 18th century, in the small Polish town of Tovste, an old beggar approached the home of a man named Eliezer and his wife, Sarah, seeking shelter for the night. The couple was childless, but they were known for their exceptional hospitality, always providing food and money to guests for the remainder of their journey.
This mysterious beggar arrived late on a Friday evening, and it was clear that he had traveled on Shabbat to get there. Despite the shock of the other guests at the meal, Eliezer promptly seated the beggar at the head of the table, giving him all the courses that had already passed. Eliezer even rebuked the other guests for muttering their disapproval of the honors given to someone who had broken the Sabbath.
The story goes that as the beggar left on Sunday morning, he revealed to his host that he was Elijah the Prophet. He had been sent to see if Eliezer and Sarah had an open home to all Jews or only those who were religiously observant. Since Eliezer and his wife treated him as a royal guest, despite his lack of observance, Elijah blessed them with a child after 15 years of trying. That child was the Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement.
The Baal Shem Tov’s emphasized that every single Jew is important, regardless of their knowledge or background. He preached ahavat chinam—baseless love—teaching that even the simple farmers who barely know how to read Hebrew prayers are just as important in G-d’s eyes as the greatest Torah scholars. These teachings of acceptance and love for one’s fellow Jew are at the core of the Chassidic movement.
As Jews, there are certain principles we stand up for proudly. However, our mission in this world, as taught by the Baal Shem Tov, is simple acceptance and love; unbiased, unconditional and “baseless” love. So today, try to do something kind for someone else, especially if they hold different views from you. Before rushing to judge someone, take a step back. Let kindness and civility guide your interactions.
As I’ve mentioned before, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory, taught that each mitzvah and act of kindness we do can tip the scales of the world towards the side of good. This can help restore the sense of community that so many are longing for.
Senseless hatred destroyed our Holy Temple thousands of years ago, and we are still in exile today because we have yet to rectify the mistakes of the past. There is still time to unite our world and turn this day of mourning into one of baseless joy.
