Love Yourself More than Your Neighbor: Universalism vs. Particularism

(14) He (Rabbi Akiva) would say: Beloved is humankind, since it is created in the image [of God]. A deeper love - it is revealed to him that he is created in the image, as it says (Genesis 9:6) "for in God's image He made humankind." Beloved are Israel, since they are called children of God. A deeper love - it is revealed to them that they are called children to God, as it says (Deuteronomy 14:1) "You are children of the Lord your God." Beloved are Israel, since a precious instrument has been given to them. A deeper love - it is revealed to them that the precious instrument of the world's creation has been given to them, as it says (Proverbs 4:2) "For a good lesson I have given to you; do not forsake my teaching."

A spring belongs to the residents of the city, so if it comes to their lives against the lives of others, their lives come first, before the lives of others. If they must choose between their own animals and the animals of others, their own animals come first, before the animals of others. If they must choose between their own laundering and the laundering of others, their own laundering comes first, before the laundering of others If, however, they must choose between the lives of others and their own laundering, the lives of others come first, before their own laundering. However, Rabbi Yosei says that their own laundering comes first, before the lives of others.

(2) ...All of Israel and all who are attached to them are like brothers as it says "Ye are the children of the LORD your God" and if a brother will not have compassion for his brother, who will have compassion for him?