"HaShem loves Klal Yisrael, like His most precious family" (Micha 7:18).
He calls us, "My daughter, My sister, My mother" (Midrash Shir HaShirim).
Even when we misbehave, HaShem says, "How can I punish My children?
I feel the pain of Klal Yisrael like it is My pain."
As the verse says, 'He feels all of their pain" (Isaiah 63:9).
It is also written, "His Soul is afflicted because of the suffering of Israel" (Shoftim 10).
He cannot bear their distress and disgrace because they are His family.
How do we apply this profound concept to ourselves?
Interpersonally all of Klal Yisrael is one family because our souls are all bound together.
It is appropriate for a person to desire goodness for his friend. And to look with a kind eye upon the good that comes to His friend. His friend's honor should be as precious to him as his honor, for his friend, is actually him!
Because we are one "super soul," HaShem commanded us, "Love your friend as you love yourself" (Vayikra 19:18).
It is fitting for us to desire righteousness for our friend. We should never speak disparagingly of him, nor ever want him to falter. Just as Hashem never wants us to be disgraced or suffer because of our family closeness to Him.
We should feel our friend's pain as our own, as well as rejoice in his happiness as our own.
(Tomer Devorah, Chapter One)
