Human beings are tribal people, meaning we tend to want to love people “who look like us, who think like us, who act like us, who live in proximity to us,” says Rabbi Ben Freed. “What’s really difficult as humans is to love the stranger; to love the person we don’t have that natural connection with.” That’s why sacred texts such as the Bible and the Torah repeatedly reiterate the importance of loving the stranger — because it’s not our natural inclination, but it is the right thing to do.

Watch the full “Loving the Stranger” session, including an earnest, emotional exchange with fellow panelist Lyla June about the conflict in Gaza — a true example of sacred listening and loving the “other” despite differences:

About the Festival of Faiths: 

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the Festival of Faiths is a nationally acclaimed, multi-day festival that hosts spiritual practitioners, thought leaders and movement makers.

The 2023 Festival of Faiths, Sacred Hearts, Sacred Minds: Embodying Love, celebrated the power of love to cultivate meaningful connections, strengthen communities and transform lives. Festival sessions explored contemporary concerns through the lens of faith and tapped into our unique capacity for love and compassion in order to envision a more loving future.

Connect with the Festival of Faiths — and join us on this journey of conversation, understanding and spiritual nourishment: 

Website: https://festivaloffaiths.org/ 
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