By Eman Chayim

It’s astonishing how much religious hate exists in the world today. The idea of hating evil is unfortunate but it’s importance is understandable — most people agree that pure evil should be hated. However, what qualifies as “evil” can be subjective and varies greatly among different cultures and beliefs. But even if we assume that every ounce of this hatred is justified, a critical question remains: Where is the love?

Curious about this imbalance, I decided to do a quick, informal search of a digital library of texts accepted as “authentic” by many of the worlds religions (Judaism, Islam and Christianity), to see how often the words “love” and “hate” appear in the Torah (the Jewish Bible). The results were telling: the word “love” had 1,145 results where “hate” had 338 results, that’s roughly a 3X imbalance. The result is clear — the emphasis on hate does not hold water. Love is meant to be far more prevalent in our lives than hate.

Even if one are perfectly justified in righteous disdain for all that theyfind wrong in the world, how does their zealous righteousness measure up when it comes to love? Are they as zealous and passionate when it comes to “loving your neighbor”? How are they showing up for the vulnerable, the different, and less fortunate that simply cross their path?

For a believing person, it all begins with loving yourself, acknowledging that you were created in the image of God. Self-love isn’t about narcissism; it’s about recognizing your inherent worth and treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer to a friend. This is the foundation from which all other love flows. Once one truly embrace this concept, and live a life with less hate that energy spreads. Love is infectious, and when one embodies it, others can’t help but catch it too.

(From a Kabbalistic/Jewish viewpoint, our prayers and good deeds (Mitzvot) hold significantly less value when performed without love, analogous to a body without a soul. Acts infused with love are seen as far more meaningful and “reach higher” than those done merely out of obligation or routine. See Tanya, Likkutei Amarim, Chapter 38 & 39, Tikunei Zohar 25b)

Yes, there are times when it’s appropriate, even necessary, to hate what is evil. I just wish the religiously devout would calibrate their hate with the amount of love . What if they committed to loving everything else three times as much? Imagine the impact on our communities, our relationships, and our behaviors if love — not hate — were the guiding force. Let’s challenge ourselves to lead with love and make it the dominant emotion in our lives, just as many of our ancient texts encourage.

10 Versus regarding “LOVE” from the Torah:

Leviticus 19:18
Love your fellow [Israelite] as yourself:

Exodus 20:12
Therefore honor your father and your mother, by giving them respect, obedience and love, both while they are alive and after their death, and your reward will be that you will live long on the earth which

Leviticus 19:34
The strangers who reside with you shall be to you as your citizens; you shall love each one as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt:

Exodus 34:6
And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord, mighty, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in love and truth,

Deuteronomy 11:13
Now it shall be: if you hearken, yes, hearken to my commandments that I command you today, to love Y HWH your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your being:

Psalms 23:6
Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the L ORD for many long years.

Psalms 130:7
O Israel, wait for the LORD ; for with the LORD is steadfast love and great power to redeem

Psalms 89:3
I declare, “Your steadfast love is confirmed forever; there in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”

Song of Songs 1:4
Let us delight and rejoice in your love, Savoring it more than wine — Like new wine they love you!

Jeremiah 2:2
Go proclaim to Jerusalem: Thus said G OD : I accounted to your favor The devotion of your youth, Your love as a bride — How you followed Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.

Psalms 119:97
O how I love Your teaching! It is my study all day long.