You’re not alone. Our tradition grapples with this too. How do we actually cultivate love for the Divine?
The book of Devarim, Deuteronomy, offers a powerful clue. In Devarim 6:5, we’re told to love G-d with all our heart, soul, and might. A stunning command! But then comes the very next verse: "And these things that I command you this day shall be upon your heart" (Devarim 6:6). What's up with that? Why does the Torah immediately follow the call to love G-d with instructions about keeping the commandments in our hearts?
This is where the ancient commentary Sifrei Devarim steps in to illuminate. It poses a crucial question: how exactly do we come to love the Holy One, Blessed be He? If the Torah just commands it, how do we get there?
Sifrei Devarim offers a beautifully simple answer: “For in this way you come to recognize the Holy One Blessed be He and to cleave to His ways.” The key, it suggests, lies in internalizing the commandments. It’s not just about doing them, but about letting them sink deep into our hearts, shaping our thoughts, and guiding our actions. When we consciously engage with mitzvot, commandments, we are actively engaging with G-d's will. We are putting our hearts and minds into aligning ourselves with the Divine. And, as we do this, we begin to know G-d in a more profound way. It's not just intellectual assent; it's a felt connection.
It's like learning to love a person. You can't just decide to love someone. You get to know them, learn their values, understand their dreams, and share experiences. Over time, this intimacy can blossom into love. Similarly, by immersing ourselves in the mitzvot – G-d's "ways," if you will – we build a relationship.
So, the next time you struggle with that seemingly impossible command to love G-d, remember Sifrei Devarim. Don't just focus on the abstract idea of love. Focus on the tangible actions, the mitzvot that are right in front of you. Let them reside on your heart. Let them shape your being. Because in doing so, you might just find that love blossoming within you, a natural consequence of a life lived in connection with the Divine.
And isn't that a beautiful thing?