אהבי ד' שנאו רע – Ohavei Hashem sinu ra. O lovers of Hashem, despise evil!
Those who love Hashem, who are steadfastly committed to observing His mitzvos, will naturally despise evil. The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, quotes Chazal (Sifra Parashas Kedoshim), “How do we know that one should not say, ‘I cannot tolerate shaatnez (wool and linen admixture); I do not like pork; I have no desire to have an immoral relationship.’ Rather (he should say), ‘I am interested in shaatnez; I like pork; I would like to commit an immoral act, but what can I do? My Creator forbade me; my Father in Heaven decreed that I should not act in such a manner. The Torah teaches: ‘I separated you from all the nations to be mine’ (Vayikra 20:26). We are different. Thus, one who separates himself from sin accepts upon himself the yoke of Heaven.” The Kotzker adds: “One who stays away from pork because he claims he has no interest in it, what will happen if he suddenly develops an interest in it? If he is distanced, however, from the prohibition as a result of Heavenly mandate, it is an eternal prevention from falling into the abyss of sin. Therefore, one who loves Hashem, who adheres to His word, despises evil. He despises evil because he loves Hashem.”
