The Political Implications of Tzelem Elokim and Divine Oneness

Early morning musing...

Each individual contains a spark of the Divine, being made in the Image of G-d (tzelem Elokim).

However, just because individual man reflects G-d's Image does not necessarily mean that collective mankind reflects G-d's Image.  Whenever men are cruel to each other this does not reflect G-d.  Rather it is when men are loving to G-d and fellow man that collective mankind reflects the tzelem of echad-ness.

Might this be why Yeshua analogized the First and Second commandments?

"36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:36-40)

How is the second "like" the first?  Are they not completely different commandments?  How is loving your neighbor like loving G-d?

It's interesting the rationale that Torah gives for the command that Israel become a "Community of One Law".  It appears to base this command on the equality of mankind:

"For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the LORD."

Why does G-d wish people of different ethnic backgrounds to be considered "alike"?