What Is Baseless Hatred? A Jewish Perspective on Unity

It is well known that the Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred, and that it will, God willing, be rebuilt through baseless love. It seems that the time has come to speak about this openly.

Has anyone reading this ever truly encountered “baseless hatred”? If we think about it honestly, such a thing almost seems not to exist. There is always a reason — often a very convincing one, that leads to hatred. Personally, I have never met anyone who did not feel they had a solid justification for the resentment they carried. Improper behavior on the road, arguments at the checkout line, neighborly disputes, marital tension — all of these can lead to hostility. Is that truly baseless hatred? Were there not reasons behind the negative emotions that developed? Even hatred fueled by opposing opinions can feel justified. If each side believes the other’s views threaten the future of the Jewish people, can we really call it baseless?

If we do not even understand what baseless hatred is, how can we avoid repeating the same mistake again and again?

Separating the Person From the Issue

The principle is actually very simple: we must separate the issue itself from the person behind it.

Distinguishing between an idea or behavior and the individual who carries it is critical. It may be permissible — perhaps even necessary, to oppose harmful behavior or destructive ideas (at least from your perspective). But turning that opposition into personal hatred toward the individual is entirely unnecessary. That is where hatred truly becomes “baseless.”

The Teaching of the Netziv: What It Means to Be Upright

The Netziv, in his introduction to the Book of Bereishit, explains why our sages referred to it as Sefer HaYashar, “the Book of the Upright.” He writes that Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov were called upright even more than they were called righteous or pious.

Why did Balaam refer to our forefathers specifically as “upright”? The Netziv explains that their greatness was not only in their devotion to God, but also in the way they treated others — even idolaters who behaved improperly. They still acted with love and concern for humanity, recognizing that the world’s existence depended on compassion and moral conduct.

Avraham, for example, prayed intensely for the people of Sodom. Although he despised their wickedness, he still desired their survival. This balance of rejecting wrongdoing without rejecting the person, is what defined the patriarchs as truly upright.

Even Balaam, at a moment of prophetic clarity, was struck by this quality. Although he felt justified in opposing Israel, he recognized that seeking the destruction of an entire nation was not the path of integrity or righteousness.

Love Is Precious — Hatred Is Cheap

These days, we have been privileged to witness the Jewish people at their finest. Despite disagreements, challenges, and deeply opposing views, we have seen countless acts of unity, support, and boundless love.

Love is precious. Hatred, in contrast, is free.