Helping an Enemy: The Torah’s Powerful Lesson on True Kindness

A Jew is something extraordinary. Sometimes, reflecting on what the Torah demands from us fills us with deep amazement. In our Torah portion, God commands us to do something that seems suited only for rare, exceptional saints, and nevertheless, He commands all of us equally. It turns out that each of us has the potential to be extraordinary.

The commandment is: “If you see the donkey of your enemy lying under its burden and you would refrain from helping him — you shall surely help him!” (Shemot 23:5).

When Helping Feels Impossible

The verse describes a situation in which you encounter someone who needs your help — but there is one “small problem”: you do not particularly like this person, to put it mildly. What should you do in such a case? Help or not?

The holy Torah addresses even situations like this and commands you to help wholeheartedly. “Help him? That person? He’s not even human!” Yes. Help him. That is what God asks of us. Have you ever thought about it? This command refers to a deeply uncomfortable situation — a moment when you meet someone whom, if you are honest, you might almost feel satisfied seeing in difficulty. Yet the Torah instructs you to set aside all your emotions and help.

One of Life’s Greatest Spiritual Tests

Without a doubt, this is one of the greatest spiritual challenges. Perhaps until now we have grown accustomed to giving ourselves “discounts” when things are hard, and maybe even cutting a few corners. But the One who created us knows that within us lie tremendous and unique strengths. The ability to rise to the level of exceptional righteousness is truly within our reach.

We, the Jewish people, the chosen nation, operate on a different spiritual level. Within each of us is a divine soul that grants powerful inner strength to act, even when it goes against what might seem logical by the standards of the world around us.

A Different Standard of Kindness

In many societies, helping others is often reserved for family or close friends — certainly not for someone you dislike. In ordinary human terms, seeing an enemy in distress might feel like an opportunity to walk away. But among Jews, it is different.

It does not matter whether you know this person, whether he thinks like you, or whether he belongs to your community. Is he a Jew? That alone is enough reason to stop everything and offer help — even if you still carry negative feelings toward him.

The Divine Strength Within Us

Perhaps that is the deepest message of this mitzvah: God would never command us to do something beyond our capacity. The very fact that we are commanded means we are capable. Hidden within every Jew is a remarkable spiritual strength: the ability to rise above emotion, above ego, and act with compassion even in the most difficult moments.

Isn’t being a Jew something extraordinary?