Sarmad, I fear you are a little mistaken, "Veahavta lereacha kamocha" (and thou shall love your brother like you love yourself), is not only prior to Jesus, it is the most dominant command in Judaism (in "matters that are between people" as against "matters between people and the almighty"). It is so important, that religious Jews recite this as part of the most central prayer (The one starting with Oh Listen Israel, Adonai is our god, Adonai is one), three times a day (some even a fourth time before going to sleep) and furthermore, it is so central that it is included on a small piece of parchment nailed to the entry of each Jewish home or apartment (in the Mezuza), and is on the parchment which is worn over the forehead and on the right arm during prayer as "tefilin".
An old story about one of the early teachers (around the time of Jesus) Rabbi Akiva, tells of a farmer coming to the Rabbi and asking him, Rabbi, teach me how to live the life of a good and god fearing Jew, but Rabbi, I don't have much time, so could you teach me these while I am standing on only one leg. Rabbi Akiva told the farmer, stand on one leg and repeat after me "Thou shall love your brother like you love yourself". Get back on both your legs, if you do only that, you will be living the life of a good and god fearing Jew (why one has to fear god, is beyond my own understanding).
Zeev |
