R’ Levi Yitzchok of Bardichev embodied this Ahavas Yisroel on a whole new level, and he personified it by going out of his way to see the good in other Yidden. But he taught us not to stop there. Stories of R’ Levi Yitzchak are full of examples of him not only seeing the good, but actually turning to Hashem and vocalizing the good that he was noticing.
Why is it so powerful to see the good, and then say the good out loud? Because when we mention a fellow Jew’s positive traits to Hashem, something miraculous happens in shomayim. The Tzaddikim teach us that this type of speech literally moves a person from the harsh side of judgement, to the side of merit, on the opposite side of the Heavenly courtroom! Our words down here can literally shift judgments up there.
Rebbe Nachman of Breslev famously teaches that every single person has a Nekudah Tova, a pure, incorruptible point of goodness (Likutei Morahan 282). This is a place inside every single soul that has zero ulterior motives, and just wants to connect purely with Hashem. Our job, when it comes to our fellow Yidden, is to find that point within each other. While adults may be weary, or see the world with preconceived notions, so much transformation for our nation’s approach to Ahavas Yisroel can come from our children. The “Little Bardichevers” who look at one another with temimus, a pure simplicity, and with beauty, kindness, and chein. They aren’t skeptical of ‘types’, ‘boxes’ and ‘community norms’, they just see Yidden as is - brothers and sisters. Through their pure, openhearted viewpoint, we can all merit a shift in perspective – one that can finally unlock the rebuilding of the Third Beis Hamikdosh, speedily and with Rachamim.
Inspired by “Little Kinderlach” by Country Yossi
Written By Blumstein Bros, Mendy Portnoy
