N17. Despising Our Neighbor. [Make a Comment]
We are not to despise our neighbor.
This precept is derived from His Word (blessed be He):
Key Scriptures
Proverbs 11:12
He who belittles another lacks good sense, whereas a person of discernment
stays silent.
Proverbs 14:21
He who despises his fellow sins, but he who shows compassion to the humble
is happy.
Romans 14:3
The one who eats anything must not look down on the one who abstains; and
the abstainer must not pass judgment on the one who eats anything, because
God has accepted him
1 Timothy 4:12
Don't let anyone look down on you because of your youth; on the
contrary, set the believers an example in your speech, behavior, love, trust
and purity.
Supportive Scriptures
Proverbs 6:30
A thief is not despised if he steals only to satisfy his appetite when
hungry;
Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who nurses anger against his brother will be
subject to judgment; that whoever calls his brother, 'You
good-for-nothing!' will be brought before the Sanhedrin; that whoever
says, 'Fool!' incurs the penalty of burning in the fire of
Gei-Hinnom!
Commentary
The natural un-regenerated man elevates himself and therefore despises his neighbors who are not like he is. We sometimes justify despising a person because he is our enemy or because of his sin. Scripture, on the other hand, calls us to despise a person's sin while having love and compassion for the person himself:
Jude 1:21-23: Thus keep yourselves in God's love, as you wait for our Lord Yeshua the Messiah to give you the mercy that leads to eternal life. Rebuke some who are disputing; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and to yet others, show mercy, but with fear, hating even the clothes stained by their vices.
Classical Commentators
This Mitzvah is not addressed by any of the classical commentators.
NCLA: JMm JFm KMm KFm GMm GFm