N14
We are to serve our neighbor, seeking not to be served.
Category: Neighbours & Brothers
Type: Positive
Form: Implied
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Not unique
Classical commandment: No
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Detailed codes: GFm - Gentile female, mandated | GMm - Gentile male, mandated | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- Mark 9:35
- Matthew 23:11-12
Supportive NT Scriptures
- 1 Corinthians 4:1
- 1 Corinthians 9:19
- Ephesians 6:7
- Galatians 5:13
- Hebrews 6:10
- John 13:4-8
- John 13:12-15
- Luke 22:25-27
- Matthew 20:25-28
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Matthew 25:32-46
- 1 Peter 4:9-11
- Philippians 2:5-8
- Romans 7:6
- Romans 12:6-7
- 1 Timothy 3:13
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
Serving our neighbor is meeting his needs in the way that we would want him to meet our needs ( Matthew 7:12 ), were our situations reversed. The reason that servanthood is critically important is that it comprises specific ways to love our neighbor that is never without cost or sacrifice to ourselves. When we help our neighbor build because he needs shelter, we give of our time that we could otherwise spend on our own needs or pleasures. When we give our neighbor food (or money) because he is hungry, we give him a valuable resource that we could otherwise consume or spend on ourselves. I am reminded of James 2:15-16 : Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, and someone says to him, 'Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!' without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? The two examples above are of physical helps, but servanthood often involves giving of ourselves in less tangible ways as well, such as correcting, counseling, and praying for our neighbor.
Classical commentators
This Mitzvah is not addressed by any of the classical commentators.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2