Afflictions of Love according to Rashi are those that have no corresponding avon or sin and are not given as mida kneged mida but to benfit the person in olom haba. This position holds that sometimes reward and punishment are not based on a persons good or bad acts. The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim in Part 3 chapter 17 and 24 uses the same language as Rashi but says there is no scriptual text to support this opinion but is in fact the opinion given in this gemara. Later in the makloket between Rabbi Yosi and Rabbi Meir on the answer or not answer to Moshe's question of show me your ways, Rabbi Meir gives a similiar answer to afflictions of love, but I am not sure he is supporting this position.
Are there meforshim that discuss Rabbi Meir's opinion in the light of the opinion that holds there are afflictions of love?
Your answer will be very much appreciated.
Avi Weinstein, Efrat, Israel
I do not have an answer to your specific question, but I can offer you some sources on the subject of Yisurin Shel Ahavah, although they do not deal directly with Rebbi Meir's statement.
See RAMBAN in Sha'ar ha'Gemul, who writes that Yisurin Shel Ahavah come as a Kaparah in the place of Korbanos.
The RASHBA here (Berachos 5a) cites RAV HAI GA'ON who supports the view of Rashi, as does the TOSFOS HA'ROSH. The CHOVOS HA'LEVAVOS (Sha'ar Bitachon 3, Hakdamah Chamishis) also supports this view.
The Zohar (Bereishis 180b-181a) quotes several views, all of which seem to say that the Yisurin Shel Ahavah are not for Kaparah, but rather due to an innate Chisaron in the Neshamah.
The P'NEI YEHOSHUA offers two views on the rationale of Yisurin Shel Ahavah according to Rashi. First, they are intended to prepare the Neshamah to be able to accept the rewards of Olam ha'Ba. Second, they are given as a Kaparah on others.
The RAMCHAL (Derech Hash-m 2:2-3) also writes that there are Yisurim which are a Kaparah on the generation. In addition, he writes (in Da'as Tevunos 162) that in order for the world to reach its Tikun, Tzadikim may need to suffer.
D. Zupnik