By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

Mi K’amcha Yisroel… Who is like Your people, Yisroel. How proud I am to be part of nation that treasures the mitzva of v’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha, you shall love your fellow as yourself. A nation that knows what it means to have kindness in one’s heart.

A beautiful story has recently gone viral in Israel. It is the story of Chaim, a simple man who worked a falafel stand in the North. Shortly after October 7, Chaim wanted to give back to chayalei Yisroel, the soldiers of IDF, for protecting the people and land of Israel. He made a commitment to give any uniformed soldier who comes to his stand a falafel on the house.

Word spread quickly, and over time, thousands of hungry soldiers made their way to Chaim’s stand. Chaim never imagined so many soldiers showing up, nor did he think the war would last as long as it is. Despite his rising expenses, and dwindling income, Chaim remained true to his word, and continued to supply the soldiers with falafel.

With time, Chaim’s generosity began to take an enormous financial toll. His debts mounted, and it looked like Chaim would have to close shop.

And then, the glory of Am Yisroel shone in a way that Chaim could have never dreamed of. Just recently, dozens of soldiers who were “customers” of Chaim, heard of his financial troubles. They came to Chaim’s stand with family and friends. Not to take, but to give. They insisted on paying. With such a large group, it didn’t take long for Chaim to be sold out.

But that wasn’t all. Chaim had a tip jar. At the end of the day, he opened it and discovered an envelope with tens of thousands of shekels. It included a note, “You fed us when we were hungry, going into battle. Now, is our time to feed your business.” It was signed, “With love, The Company.”

Chaim broke down into tears. The beauty of a people that knows what it means to give. Both Chaim, and The Company, gave from their heart. Each one touching the heart of the other.

We are now in the midst of Sefira. It is during this time that 12,000 pairs of Rabbi Akiva’s students succumbed to a devastating plague. A tragedy. For Rabbi Akiva, it was a time of pain, for each student was precious. He gave of himself to each and every one of them.

Rabbi Akiva didn’t fall apart, but continued on. He rebuilt, teaching a new group of five students, emphasizing the mitzva of v’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha… to love your fellow as yourself. (Vayikra 19:18)

V’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha. Rashi comments, “So says Rabbi Akiva. Zeh klal gadol baTorah, This is a fundamental principle in the Torah.”

How inspired I was to read that it was during these days of Sefira, days when we are reminded of the teachings of Rabbi Akiva, that a group of IDF soldiers went out of their way to show love, care and concern for Chaim. It is a true story of ahavas Yisroel, of one Jew loving another. Of Chaim giving to the soldiers, and the soldiers giving back. Each one, in their own way, brought the emotion of lovingkindness into action.

Rabbi Akiva taught that one should make an effort, and look for ways to do for others. To seek out opportunities to do good, and offer help instead of waiting to be asked.

Rabbi Akiva lived his teaching, doing chesed without being asked. The Talmud tells us of a student of Rabbi Akiva who was ill. Although Rabbi Akiva had 24,000 students, he noticed his talmid’s absence. He found the student lying in bed, pale and weak. Rabbi Akiva looked around the room, it needed a cleaning. Rabbi Akiva himself opened the window, dusted and swept, letting in the sunshine and cleaning up the room. With the room straightened out, the student’s spirits were lifted. Filled with gratitude, he turned to Rabbi Akiva and said, “Rebbi, you revived me.” With that, Rabbi Akiva wished his student a refuah sheleima.

Rabbi Akiva was a paragon of loving one’s fellow. When it came to doing for others, nothing was beneath him.

The Maharal notes that from Pesach up to Lag B’Omer, we count 32 days. 32 is the gematria, numerical value of both lev- heart, and kavod – respect and honor. During these days of Sefira, we should internalize the teaching of Rabbi Akiva. A lesson of showing love and respect to others.

This week’s parsha, Emor, tells us about the mitzva of Sefiras Ha’omer. “U’sefartem lachem, And you shall count for yourself.” (Vayikra 23:15) We are counting the days until Matan Torah, each day another rung in the ladder, each day another opportunity for spiritual growth. During the days of Sefira, HaShem sends us extra opportunities to do chesed, so we can accumulate mitzvos. We just have to keep our eyes and ears open, and pick up on our messages.

I recently read a story by Rabbi Shraga Freedman, as told to him by Mr. Shlomo Werdiger, who heard it from the Gerrer Rebbe. It was about a Holocaust survivor who shared a memory with the Rebbe. He spoke of being part of a group, commiserating about the inner pain they felt during their time in Auschwitz. There was no Torah, no Shabbos, no tefillin, no mitzvos. One boy in the group spoke up. “There is one mitzva we can still keep completely, with all its details. One mitzva that no rasha can take away from us. V’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha.” From that moment on, they made every effort to keeping that mitzva. A mitzva that gave them the strength to survive and that fortified them in their Yiddishkeit.

From the darkest days of the Holocaust, to Rabbi Akiva’s love for each student, to Chaim’s falafel stand and the IDF soldiers who repaid his kindness, the mantra of v’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha brings out the best of Am Yisroel.

Shabbat Shalom!

Chaya Sora

Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]

This article was written L’zecher Nishmas / In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt’l