משך חכמה — ואהבת לרעך כמוך אני ה'

Q — What does the addition "אני ה'" specify about the mitzvah of "ואהבת לרעך כמוך"?

A — A material desire depends on sight ("מה שעיניו רואות הלב חומד"), but the tzaddik's longing for Hashem is intrinsic — not based on sight ("כי לא יראני האדם וחי"), the way a date palm in Chamtan longs for its mate in Yericho without ever seeing it. "אני ה'" defines the MODE of loving one's fellow: just as you are commanded to love Hashem whom you do not see, so too you must love and esteem a Jew you have never met — because all souls are hewn from one source.