“Kavod Habriyot”—Respect for Human Dignity
The prohibition against shaming and insulting (halbanat panim) 1. “Kavod habriyot” (respect for human dignity) is given a central place in Judaism. For example, certain rabbinic enactments do not app…
Laws of relationships
Explore Laws of relationships at Neshama Sheli: articles and reading collections about Jewish life. Discover the section and related topics for further reading.
What Actions Does the Mitzvah of Loving Your Neighbor Include?
17. The positive commandments instituted by the Sages are: visiting the sick, comforting mourners, accompanying the deceased, helping a bride arrange her wedding, escorting guests, attending to every…
Helping Others—Those Closest to Us Come First
11. Although Torah study is considered a very important mitzvah, when there is no one to perform another important mitzvah, or when that mitzvah is incumbent only on a particular person, he must temp…
The Prohibition Against Acting Like the People of Sodom
8. A person who finds his lost belongings beside someone else’s belongings may not leave the latter there and concern himself only with his own lost property. If, for some reason, he cannot return bo…
Gemilut Chasadim Toward One's Wife
7. Someone who cannot cover his own basic expenses is not obligated to give tzedakah or help others financially. (But if a poor person gives even the smallest coin to tzedakah, he is considered to ha…
Your Own Life Comes First
4. The Torah says in several places: “Follow His ways” (Deuteronomy, 28:9), “Walk in all His ways and cleave to Him” (ibid., 11:22), “Follow God, your Almighty God, and cleave to Him” (ibid., 13:5).…
“Love Your Neighbor” Is the Fundamental Principle of the Torah
2. Rabbi Akiva says that “love your neighbor” is the fundamental principle of the Torah. Another sage, Hillel the Elder[1], defines this commandment in a slightly different way: “Whatever is hateful…
The Commandments to Love One's Neighbor and Follow the Creator's Ways
The Commandments to Love One's Neighbor and Follow the Creator's Ways 1. The Torah contains two commandments that are similar yet distinct: - “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus, 19:18); - “F…
Rules a Guest Should Follow
19. A guest should not ask for a second helping if he suspects that the host does not have enough food. If the host is put in an awkward position and feels compelled to put more food on the table (wh…
Hospitality — The Mitzvah of Accompanying Guests on Their Way
18. The mitzvah of accompanying guests on their way (and showing them the way so they do not get lost) is considered even more important than the mitzvah of welcoming them. Moreover, someone who fail…
Hospitality—The Mitzvah of “Welcoming Guests” and Women
13. A woman can also fulfill the mitzvah of “welcoming guests,” but she must avoid unnecessary conversation and violations of yichud (the prohibition against a man and a woman being alone together),…
Hospitality — Doing All You Can for Your Guest
8. One should do everything possible in a guest's best interests, so if someone is looking for a place to spend the night and you know that people living nearby would gladly welcome the guest and pro…