"In the famous Talmudic story of Hillel and the would-be convert, Hillel says to that man: what is hateful to you, do not do to others. (B.T. Shabbat 31)
We may ask why Hillel told the man the Golden Rule in these words. Why did he not use the words of the Torah, you shall love your neighbor as yourself?
It seems to me that Hillel responded as he did because he understood the spritual level of the man who came to him. The man was looking for easy answers; he was not ready for a challenge.
Hillel understood from this that the man was ready only for the ‘thou shalt not’ aspect of religion, which is the easiest part. The man was ready to refrain from doing evil deeds. He was ready to refrain from doing anything that would do direct harm to another human being.
The higher level of ‘love’ which is the essence of religion contains many obligations and responsibilities. These are expressed as ‘thou shalt’. Love your neighbor as yourself is a ‘thou shalt’ mitzvah, which requires the performance of many acts of tsedakah and hesed that go beyond refraining from murder and theft and other prohibitions.
Hillel wanted to bring this man under the wings of the Divine Presence, so he gave him only what he was ready for. But Hillel concluded: zil u’gmar - go and learn! Once the man had converted and learned much Torah he was ready to accept the multiple obligations which we call ‘the yoke of the Torah.’"
Hidushei HaRYM, grandfather of the Safat Emet (via svetlana-del-rey)
take note, frum mafia
(Source: amanda-gayfried)
