The Alter Rebbe placed the declaration, “Behold I accept upon myself the fulfillment of the mitzvah, ‘Love your fellowman as yourself,’ ” at the very beginning of the prayer service, making it the foundation of one’s daily activities.
In simple terms, this command means that when a person sees another Jew, he should try to unite with him, for in truth they share a fundamental commonalty.
This applies, not only to the Jews in one’s immediate community, but to all Jews, even those far removed, indeed, even those in a distant corner of the world.
Needless to say, the manner in which these feelings of unity are expressed will differ in terms of the practical means of expression available, but the feelings of oneness are universal in nature.
(Excerpted from sichah of Vayakhel 5752, courtesy of Sichos in English.)
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