# Hugs Over Criticism: The Mitzvah of Loving Rebuke [Parsha Pearls: Acharei-Kedoshim] 5786 Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5777651/hugs-over-criticism-the-mitzvah-of-loving-rebuke-parsha-pearls-acharei-kedoshim-5786 Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5777651/hugs-over-criticism-the-mitzvah-of-loving-rebuke-parsha-pearls-acharei-kedoshim-5786.md Podcast: [Parsha Review Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe](https://stenobird.com/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5777651) Published: 2026-05-01T07:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/61b2765c Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.transistor.fm/61b2765c/0541382f.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5777651/episodes/hugs-over-criticism-the-mitzvah-of-loving-rebuke-parsha-pearls-acharei-kedoshim-5786 Duration seconds: 1453 ## Resource In this episode on Parshas Kedoshim (the holiness parsha), Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe focuses on Leviticus 19:17–18: "Do not hate your brother in your heart... You shall surely rebuke your fellow... and do not bear sin because of him," followed by "Love your fellow as yourself — I am Hashem." He explains that hatred must be expressed (not suppressed), but rebuke (tochacha) is only a mitzvah when it will be accepted; otherwise, it's a mitzvah not to rebuke (Yevamos). Embarrassing someone publicly is like "spilling their blood" — a grave sin. True rebuke comes from love ("achicha" — your brother), requires the right time, place, and words, and is often more effective through hugs and positivity than harsh criticism (especially with children). Rabbi Wolbe stresses that parents (and all of us) must see others' blind spots and correct with care, as Hashem corrects those He loves. Holiness means rising above natural self-interest to genuinely love and elevate others — not by putting them down, but by helping them grow. This is the path to true kedushah (holiness), mirroring Hashem's ways. _____________ This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa Friedman Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharing Recorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on April 28, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Released as Podcast on May 1, 2026 _____________ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083 ) Spotify ( https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content. ________… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5777651/episodes/hugs-over-criticism-the-mitzvah-of-loving-rebuke-parsha-pearls-acharei-kedoshim-5786/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5777651/hugs-over-criticism-the-mitzvah-of-loving-rebuke-parsha-pearls-acharei-kedoshim-5786.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.