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According to Ben Azzai, there is an even greater principle than that of loving your fellow, namely the principle of human worth (kevod ha-adam), which derives from humans having been created in the image of God. The Torah clearly states, “This is the record of Adam’s line. When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God; male and female He created them” (Genesis 5:1). Similarly, “And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (ibid. 1:27).
Man is created in the image and likeness of God – what does that mean? It means that humans, like God, have free will. Each person can better (or worsen) his or her own condition as well as the condition of the world at large. Since we have the ability to improve the world, we have the responsibility to do so. Thus, the principle of human worth would seem to be qualitatively greater than “Love your fellow as yourself,” because it touches the very definition of our humanity. This principle is also quantitatively greater, as it applies equally to all of humanity.
