Loving G-d

In the שמע, we have the commandment, ואהבת את ה׳ אלוקיך, that we are to love Hashem our G-d. The question was asked how we can be commanded to feel the emotion of love. Shouldn’t that feeling come from the individual, and not as an obligation?

The Rambam gives a little different definition of love. He explains that love is really קשר, connection. He suggests that one need only ponder the wonders of the universe, and he will be led to love of Hashem. This is because, after one marvels at the miracle of creation, one wants to connect with the Creator of all of these things.

It is similar to falling in love, known as, “love at first sight.” This is all about wanting to connect with that person. He wants to know everything about that person. The same is true with Hashem. When we recognize His abundant wisdom, we want to know everything about Him. This connection is how we fulfill אהבת ה׳, the love of G-d.

The Baal Shem Tov said that love of Hashem can only come when we learn to love others. If we are capable of loving another person unconditionally, we will be able to love Hashem unconditionally. These are a few explanations as to how we can fulfill the emotion of אהבת ה׳.