Love Starts At Home
This week's Parasha enlightens us with the Torah principle, "Love your friend as you love yourself." At first glance, we tend to put this rule into practice by striving to love our friends and neighbors. This is surely commendable and praiseworthy. However there is another application of this great Mitzvah which we may have overlooked. That is, to intend to fulfill the Mitzvah of "Love your friend as you love yourself," right in our home, with our family and loved ones! We have the opportunity to accrue endless merits each time we perform the Mitzvah of loving others with our spouse, children, and parents.
Lesson: The key to success in our family relationships lies in our intention. The intention of performing a Mitzvah when we love and help our loved ones, will avail our family of HaShem's sweetest blessings.
Visualization: Envision the love that Avraham Avinu held in his heart for each and every person. Awaken the love of Avraham in your heart for all of your family members. Whenever you love and help them, have in mind you are fulfilling the Mitzvah of "Love your friend as you love yourself," -- and receive HaShem's blessings for family peace and success.
(Based on Chovos HaLavavos, Chapter Three, Sha'ar HaBitachon)
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