4

To love Him

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
:פָּרָשַׁת וָאֶתְחַנַּן - וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכָל־לְבָֽבְךָ֥ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶֽךָ
Deuteronomy 6:5 - And you shall love the L-rd, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your means.

This Mitzvah's Summary

מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Core Beliefs – יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה

We are commanded to love Hashem with all our being — heart, soul, and resources.

This mitzvah commands cultivating deep love for Hashem. Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Positive Commandment 3; Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:1–2) explains that love grows through contemplating His works and wisdom until one longs to draw close to Him. Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 418) writes that love motivates mitzvah observance with joy rather than burden.

The Talmud (Berachot 61b) interprets “with all your soul” as even if one must surrender life, and “with all your might” as with all one’s wealth. Rashi (Deut. 6:5) emphasizes wholehearted devotion in every aspect of life. Ramban expands this love as cleaving to Hashem, manifest in Torah study, mitzvot, and willingness to sanctify His Name. Midrash Sifrei explains that love for Hashem is demonstrated by speaking constantly of Him, influencing others to recognize His greatness.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Yesodei HaTorah 2:1–2): Love grows through contemplating Hashem’s wisdom.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 418): Teaches that love motivates joyful observance.
  • Talmud (Berachot 61b): Explains love “with all your soul” includes martyrdom, “with all your might” includes wealth.
  • Rashi (Deut. 6:5): Notes wholehearted devotion in every area of life.
  • Ramban (Deut. 6:5): Describes love as cleaving to Hashem through Torah and mitzvot.
  • Midrash Sifrei (Va’etchanan 32): Teaches love is shown by spreading knowledge of Hashem.

Contrast with Fear of Hashem (Mitzvah 5):

  • Mitzvah 4 commands love, drawing one close to Hashem; Mitzvah 5 commands fear, restraining transgression.
  • Rambam (Yesodei HaTorah 2:1–2) says both love and fear are complementary pillars of Divine service.
  • Sefer HaChinuch emphasizes balance: love inspires positive action, fear prevents wrongdoing.

Parallel to Shema (Mitzvah 76):

  • Mitzvah 4 commands love of Hashem; Mitzvah 76 (Shema) includes reciting this verse daily.
  • Talmud (Berachot 13b) explains that reciting Shema reaffirms Israel’s love and loyalty each day.
  • Ramban notes Shema embeds love of Hashem in the heart of every Jew.
(Source: Chabad.org)

Applying this Mitzvah Today

Daily Relationship, Not Abstraction

  • Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:1–2) teaches that love of Hashem grows through contemplating His wisdom in creation. In today’s world, this means transforming experiences of nature, science, and human creativity into moments of awe and devotion.

Countering Distraction with Devotion

  • Talmud (Berachot 54a) insists we bless Hashem for both good and bad. In an age of endless media and distraction, focusing one’s heart on Hashem is radical — this mitzvah demands redirecting emotional energy toward Him with sincerity.

Love Expressed Through Mitzvot

  • Ramban (Deut. 6:5) explains that true love manifests in action. In modern terms, performing mitzvot with kavannah, praying with passion, and giving tzedakah with warmth make love of Hashem tangible.

Relational Judaism

  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 418) calls ahavat Hashem the heart of Jewish life, motivating all other mitzvot. Today, communal singing, Torah study groups, and Shabbat meals are ways to cultivate love together, not just individually.

Resisting Cynicism and Coldness

  • Midrash (Sifrei Devarim §32) says: “Loving Hashem with all your heart means subduing both inclinations.” Modern culture often prizes irony or detachment; this mitzvah calls Jews to sincerity, even vulnerability, in their devotion.

Jewish Education and Inspiration

  • Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Aseh 3) teaches that we fulfill this mitzvah by inspiring others to love Him. Today, this includes passionate Jewish education, mentoring, and sharing Torah in ways that spark joy and connection to Hashem.

Love as Counterbalance to Fear

  • Talmud (Sotah 31a) contrasts service from love with service from fear. In practice, mitzvah observance rooted in love is more enduring. In today’s context, this means cultivating joy and positivity in mitzvah life rather than relying only on obligation.

Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Core Beliefs – יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה

  • Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Pos. 3) lists love as the third mitzvah, central to faith. Sefer HaChinuch (418) notes that without love, mitzvah observance can become hollow; with love, faith becomes vibrant and enduring.

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

  • Rambam (Yesodei HaTorah 2:1) teaches that true emunah matures into love through reflection on creation and Torah. Rashi explains that love is faith’s living expression.

Love – אַהֲבָה

  • Talmud (Berachot 61b) interprets “with all your soul” as even life itself, and “with all your might” as all resources. Ramban emphasizes that love includes cleaving to Torah and mitzvot as life’s purpose.

Shema – קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע

  • Talmud (Berachot 13b) explains reciting Shema affirms love of Hashem twice daily. Rambam (Kriat Shema 1:2) codifies that Shema is the act of proclaiming this mitzvah.

Ten Commandments – עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת

  • Ramban and Sifrei note that love flows naturally from the first commandments — knowing and accepting Hashem. As part of the Aseret HaDibrot framework, this mitzvah deepens the covenant.

Martyrdom – קִידּוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם

  • Talmud (Berachot 61b) explicitly ties “with all your soul” to martyrdom, requiring readiness to sanctify Hashem’s Name through ultimate sacrifice. Rambam (Yesodei HaTorah 5:2) codifies this as Kiddush Hashem.

Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה

  • Sefer HaChinuch (418) explains love sanctifies life, infusing holiness into daily acts. Midrash Sifrei teaches constant remembrance of Hashem is the hallmark of kedushah.

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

  • Rambam links ahavah and yirah: love inspires closeness, fear inspires caution. Together they define true service. Talmud (Berachot 33b) emphasizes both as essential.

Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

  • Ramban interprets this mitzvah as purely covenantal — devotion of heart, soul, and might directed solely toward Hashem.

This Mitzvah's Fundamental Badges

Core Beliefs - יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה

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Used for mitzvot that reflect Judaism’s foundational principles—belief in G-d, reward and punishment, prophecy, Torah from Heaven, and more. These commandments shape the lens through which all others are understood.

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Faith - אֱמוּנָה

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Represents Emunah—the deep, inner trust in Hashem’s presence, oneness, and constant involvement in our lives. This badge symbolizes a heartfelt connection to G-d, rooted in belief even when we cannot see. It is the emotional and spiritual core of many mitzvot.

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Love - אַהֲבָה

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Reflects mitzvot rooted in love—of G‑d, others, and the world we are entrusted to uplift.

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Ten Commandments - עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת

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An exclusive badge for the Ten Commandments - עשרת הדיברות given at Sinai: to know and recognize G-d. These commandments form the foundation of all others and reflects the moment of direct Divine revelation.

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Martyrdom - קִידּוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם

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Represents sanctifying G‑d’s Name—even to the point of self-sacrifice when necessary.

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Holiness - קְדֻשָּׁה

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Represents the concept of  spiritual intentionality, purity, and sanctity—set apart for a higher purpose.

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Reverence - יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

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Signifies awe and reverence toward Hashem—living with awareness of His greatness and presence.

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Between a person and G-d - בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

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Mitzvot that define and deepen the relationship between a person and their Creator. These include commandments involving belief, prayer, Shabbat, festivals, sacrifices, and personal holiness — acts rooted in divine connection rather than human interaction.

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