“The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” Pope Benedict XVI tells the great story of the man who went to Rabbi Shamai and asked if he could recite all of the law and the prophets of Israel while standing on one foot. Rabbi Shamai said it was impossible. So the man went to Rabbi Hillel and asked him the same question. Rabbi Hillel lifted one foot and said, “What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to them.” Then he put his foot down. Jesus reflects Hillel in the Golden Rule [Matthew 7:12] and reminds his questioners and us of Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. Both Hillel and Jesus knew that their questioners were looking for a way out, a way around the law, a loophole. But there is none. In fact, Jesus ups the ante. He commands us to love our enemies. And just before he goes out to be brutally tortured and crucified, he says, “Love one another as I have loved you.” When we see Jesus face to face, what will we have to say to Him about how well we have done?
