To which the disciple replies: “Of course I love you!”
The rabbi continues. “Do you know what causes me pain?” he asks.
“Rabbi, how can I know what causes you pain?”
To which the rabbi responds: “If you do not know what causes me pain, how can you say that you love me?”
The recent weeks have been among the most painful weeks in Jewish memory. The rockets coming out of Gaza, and the necessity of Israeli response – have caused great distress for Jews and others.
But then came the vile antisemitic attacks on Jews, both verbal and violent across the United States and in Europe – almost, it would seem, daily.