בן עזאי אומר זה ספר תולדות אדם זה כלל גדול בתורה, ר"ע אומר (ויקרא יט) ואהבת לרעך כמוך, זה כלל גדול בתורה, שלא תאמר הואיל ונתבזיתי יתבזה חבירי עמי הואיל ונתקללתי יתקלל חבירי עמי, א"ר תנחומא אם עשית כן דע למי אתה מבזה, בדמות אלהים עשה אותו.
Ben ‘Azzai said: “'This is the book of the descendants of Adam' is a great principle of the Torah.” R. Akiva said: "'Love your neighbor as yourself' (Leviticus 19:18) is a great principle, so that you must not say, "Since I have been put to shame, let my neighbor be put to shame, since I have been cursed, let my neighbor be cursed." R. Tanhuma said: "If you do so, know whom you put to shame, for 'In the image of God did God make him'" (Genesis 1:27).
[AJWS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What does this text imply about the way we are naturally inclined to treat others?
2. What are some ways we can incorporate the lessons of this text into how we treat others, both individually and as a community?
1. What does this text imply about the way we are naturally inclined to treat others?
2. What are some ways we can incorporate the lessons of this text into how we treat others, both individually and as a community?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)