A Tikun for Tisha B'Av
Our holy sages tell us that the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed because of "baseless hatred," which was prevalent in the society at that time. In our days, baseless hatred is manifest when one Jew rejects another Jew, and visa versa. For instance, members of one Shul might say, "We are the authentic Jews, whereas those people from the other Shul are misdirected." The various groups reject each other, because they perceive anyone who is different from them as inferior in their fulfillment of Torah.
Lesson: The truth is that just as an army needs infantry soldiers, pilots, a tank corp, medics, etc., so too, Klal Yisrael needs the full gamut of observers in order to completely fulfill the Torah.
App: When you encounter a Jew, who practices Judaism a little different than you, remind yourself that his observance of Judaism is just as important to HaShem as is yours. Seek the good in him, love him, be his friend, and bring the redemption closer.
(Based on the Emek HaDvar and Kisvie of the Chofetz Chaim)
