All there is, is Love

Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: Why are Torah matters likened to a tree, as it is stated: “It is a tree of life to them who lay hold upon it” (Proverbs 3:18)? This verse comes to tell you that just as a small piece of wood can ignite a large piece, so too, minor Torah scholars can sharpen great Torah scholars and enable them to advance in their studies. And this is what Rabbi Ḥanina said: I have learned much from my teachers and even more from my friends, but from my students I have learned more than from all of them.

Adonoy spoke to Moshe, saying.

“Take revenge for Bnei Yisroel against the Midianites, afterward, you shall be gathered to your people (die).”

Moshe spoke to the people, saying: “Arm men from among yourselves for the army and they will be against Midian, to bring revenge of Adonoy against Midian.

‎'נקמת ה‎ “THE VENGEANCE OF THE LORD” — [This is really equivalent to the expression God had employed (v.2), “the vengeance of the children of Israel”], because whoever attacks Israel is as though he attacks the Holy One blessed be He.

Reb Noson now brings further proof of the connection between HaShem and good.

For the Zohar teaches that Torah, the Jewish people, and HaKadosh Barukh Hu are entirely one. It follows that when a good point exists inside a Jew—namely some mitzvah or something good that he did—that good is completely bound up in unity with HaShem. For “HaShem is good to all”—He is all that is good, the origin and essence of all the good in existence. This is also as the verse states, “Taste and see that HaShem is good.” Any good, no matter where it exists or what form it takes, emanates solely from Him. This is the significance of “for HaShem supports me.” In other words, David HaMelekh says, the good point that I find in myself—itself an aspect of Godliness, as in “HaShem is good to all”—is what supports me and also wakes me from sleep.

There was another incident involving one gentile who came before Shammai and said to Shammai: Convert me on condition that you teach me the entire Torah while I am standing on one foot. Shammai pushed him away with the builder’s cubit in his hand. This was a common measuring stick and Shammai was a builder by trade. The same gentile came before Hillel. He converted him and said to him: That which is hateful to you do not do to another; that is the entire Torah, and the rest is its interpretation. Go study.

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against members of your people. Love your fellow [Israelite] as yourself: I am יהוה.

ואהבת לרעך כמוך THOU SHALT LOVE THY FELLOW MAN AS THYSELF —Rabbi Akiba said: “This is a fundamental principle of the Torah” (Sifra, Kedoshim, Chapter 4 12; Talmud Yerushalmi Nedarim 9:3).

The Lord said to Moses, saying: (Numbers 31:1).
“Take the vengeance of the children of Israel against the Midianites; then you will be gathered to your people” (Numbers 31:2).
“Take the vengeance of the children of Israel against the Midianites; then you will be gathered to your people” – Rabbi Yehuda says: Had Moses sought to live several years, he could have lived, as the Holy One blessed be He said to him: “Take vengeance…then you will be gathered.” The verse made his death contingent upon Midian. This is, rather, to inform you of Moses’ praiseworthiness. He said: Will the vengeance of Israel be delayed so that I will live? Immediately, “Moses spoke to the people, saying: Select from among you men for the army” (Numbers 31:3). “Men” – righteous, and elsewhere: “Choose men for us” (Exodus 17:9), and likewise, “when slumber falls upon men” (Job 4:13).
“To wreak the Lord’s vengeance against Midian” (Numbers 31:3) – the Holy One blessed be He said: “The vengeance of the children of Israel,” but Moses said: “The Lord’s vengeance.” The Holy One blessed be He said to them: ‘It is nothing other than your justice, as they caused Me to harm you.’ Moses said: ‘Master of the universe, were we uncircumcised, idolaters, or deniers of mitzvot, they would not hate us. They persecute us only due to the Torah and mitzvot that You gave to us. Therefore, it is Your vengeance’ – “to wreak the Lord’s vengeance against Midian.”