In short form, I think the philosophy and words of Hillel say it best for me.
Looking to Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), Hillel's section opens with his reference to Aaron the High Priest as the model for all Jews to follow.
Hillel says we should be like followers of Aaron in his love of peace, in his love of man, and in his leading mankind to a knowledge of the Law -- which itself means, the Way (Pirkei Avoth 1:12).
Oral tradition attributes these virtues to Moses' brother Aaron, but Hillel is also reaffirming virtues that he himself embodied. Hillel considered "love of man" to be the heart of Jewish teaching, or you could say, to be woven into the tapestry of the Way.
Having said that, I personally believe that until we can embody that love and respect for one another regardless of level of observance etc, and overcome internal divisions...then we have fallen short of fulfilling our purpose as Jews and as humans. Without embodying this core principle toward one another, there is a foundational gap for which no level of observance can compensate. That is the challenge of truly following the Way in love and in discipline, in compassion and in awe. Under this paradigm, an open heart requires an open mind, and vice versa.
We have to get beyond judgment of level of observance as a litmus test of worth. There are many ways to strive for spiritual growth and commitment and they may not all have to do with level of observance or any particular interpretation of what that means. Not everyone comes from the same place and not everyone has the same opportunities and gifts.
For me, as the chasids would say, it's about the kavanah we bring to the moment. We are only human but there is still have work to do. Striving to know God is beautiful, whatever your sincerely chosen path. But we must all release the expectation that simply because we are on a particular path, that we have the right to judge others who may be on a different path (i.e. less orthodox or whatever the difference may be, etc).
peace & blessings,
7L
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Sayings of Hillel....
"Be amongst the students of Aaron: Love peace and pursue peace. Love people and bring them close to Torah."
(Pirkei Avot 1:12 (Foundations...or, Ethics, of the Fathers) )
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am [only] for myself, [then] what am 'I'? And if not now, when?"
(Pirkei Avot 1:14)
The expression of the
ethic of reciprocity, or "Golden Rule":
"That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole
Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."
(
Babylonian Talmud, tractate Shabbat 31a)
"[As Hillel the Elder had stated]
whosoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world.
And whosoever that saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."
(Jerusalem Talmud Sanhedrin 4:1 (22a) )
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