I read something in your classes that speaks of man loving G-D. while I can see the importance of this concept, I fail to be able to find that emotion within me. I consider myself quite an observant Jew, but I think that this is more out of a love for my religion then for the entity of G-d Himself. If possible, could you please send me some concepts or stories to mull over in my head on this topic?

There is a verse in the Torah which states:

“And you shall love G-d, your Lord, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deut 6:5)

We recite this verse twice daily in the Shema and its one of the 613 commandments – one that we are obligated to have in mind at all times. Now, it is one thing to command us to do an act, like eating Matzah on Passover, but how can G-d command us to feel love? The Rambam (Maimonides) in his codification of Jewish law (Mishne Torah) explains that we are commanded to do what is necessary to create the feeling of love within us:

“And what is the path to come to love Him…when a person contemplates His acts and incredible creations, and sees in them His measureless and boundless wisdom, he instantly loves, praises, glorifies, and is seized with an intense desire to know the Great Name.” (Mishne Torah, Book of Knowledge, Foundations of the Torah, 2:2).

The Rambam is telling us here that if we search for the expression of G-d’s wisdom in nature, if we learn science with that end in mind, then any normal person will begin to love G-d on some level. The Rambam actually devotes the next few chapters to describing how scientists of his day explained certain phenomenon within our physical universe – in other words, he gives us a science lesson in his book of Jewish Law, in order to help us fulfill the commandment to love G-d.

Later on in the Book of Knowledge, in the final chapter of the Laws of Teshuvah (repentance) the Rambam describes the type of love we are aiming to feel and the implications of that love:

“One should not say: I will perform the commandments of the Torah and learn its wisdom so that I can obtain the blessings written therein or so that I will merit life in the next world; and I will distance myself from sin…so as to be saved from the curses…or so as not to be cut off from the next world; this is not the proper way to serve G-d…because he is serving out of fear…[however] the one who serves out of love, will work at Torah and the commandments and walk the paths of wisdom for no ulterior motive whatever – neither from fear of harm nor to secure the benefits – he simply does Truth because it is Truth. The benefits will follow in its wake – eventually…This is the level of Abraham, our Forefather, to whom G-d referred as ‘My lover’ (Isaiah 41:8) because he did nothing unless out of love…

And what kind of love? An overwhelming, passionate, and intense love, so that his soul is utterly bound to the love of G-d, and he is madly in love – thinking about it always as if he were possessed by love sickness over a certain woman who he cannot get out of his thoughts, consumed by her always whether sitting or standing, eating or drinking – beyond that is the lover of God impassioned in his love” (Mishne Torah, Hilchot Teshuva, 10:1-3)”

The Rambam is teaching us that the ultimate goal in our lives is to fall passionately in love with G-d so that every act we do becomes motivated by that love.

I hope this gives you some food for thought.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Ari Lobel