Sinat Chinum - Purposeless Hatred

Originally posted, on Nishmablog, July 7, 2010
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We are told that the churban Bayit Sheni, the destruction of the Second Temple, was a result of sinat chinum. But what does this term mean?
Most define it in the realm of "cause", focusing on a negative cause for hatred -- which is then expanded by many individuals to include any reason for hatred.
Is it true that there are no possible acceptable or even good reasons to hate? More significantly, though, is one able to control this emotional response of hatred?

Reviewing the sources seeming about the concept of sinat chinum brings someone into the general halachic discussion on hatred in general.  This discussion focuses on how one should deal with this emotion, and what is the correct effect of hatred, not on hatred's cause. In this light, the term sinat chinum may not really be describing anarchy in the causes of hatred but rather anarchy in the effects of hatred.

Further on this subject, I invite you to read a further discussion of this issue in Nishma Insight 5757-22,23: Defining Sinat Chinum on the Nishma website.

Rabbi Ben Hecht

Mitchell First: Esther Unmasked

Exploring mysteries - The Jewish Standard
http://jstandard.com/index.php/content/item/32540/

«According to Teaneck's [Beth Aaron's] Mitchell First, Queen Esther and King Achashverosh can be identified with the Queen Amestris and King Xerxes Greek historians have mentioned.

How he reaches this conclusion is outlined in his newest book, "Esther Unmasked: Solving Eleven Mysteries of the Jewish Holidays and Liturgy," published by Kodesh Press, released this week just in time for the annual Yeshiva University book sale that continues through February 23.»

Kol Tuv,
RRW

P. Trumah - Asher Yidvenu Libbo

Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich has done it again. See and enjoy this adorable clip:

http://koshertube.com/videos/index.php?option=com_seyret&Itemid=4&task=videodirectlink&id=10094

Shalom,
RRW