What will the world look like, not just in terms of technology or politics, but in terms of... well, God?
There's a fascinating little passage in Sifrei Devarim, a collection of early Jewish legal interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy, that offers a glimpse. It grapples with the famous verse from Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One."
The passage suggests something truly profound. It says that in this world, we say "The L-rd is our G-d." But in the world to come, the messianic era, we'll say "The L-rd is One." What's the difference? It's subtle, but powerful. Now, we see God as our God, a relationship, a covenant. But then? Then we'll see the absolute, unified Oneness of God, a reality so complete it transcends even relationship. As we find in Zechariah 14:9, "And the L-rd will be the King over all the land. On that day the L-rd will be One and His name will be One." A complete unification.
But what about our actions now? How do we relate to God in this in-between time? That brings us to the next verse, Deuteronomy 6:5: "And you shall love the L-rd your G-d."
The Sifrei Devarim emphasizes acting out of love. Imagine serving God not out of obligation or fear, but out of pure, unadulterated love. There's a huge difference. The text even suggests that if you act out of love, your reward is doubled!
It contrasts this with acting out of fear, referencing Deuteronomy 6:13, "The L-rd your G-d shall you fear, and Him shall you serve." You might fear a friend, but if things get tough, you might leave them. But acting out of absolute love? That's different.
Here's where it gets really interesting. The text states that absolute love and absolute fear can't co-exist... except when it comes to the Holy One, Blessed be He. It implies that if you truly love God with all your heart, that love naturally includes a profound sense of awe and reverence. It's not a fearful, cowering kind of fear, but a deep respect for the immensity and power of the Divine. And that, in turn, amplifies your reward.
It's a fascinating perspective, isn't it? This idea that love and fear, normally opposites, can somehow merge when directed towards the Divine. It suggests a relationship with God that is both intimate and reverent, a balance of closeness and awe.
So, what does it mean for us today? Maybe it's a call to examine our own motivations. Are we serving God out of habit? Out of fear of punishment? Or are we acting out of a genuine love, a desire to connect with something bigger than ourselves? And are we allowing that love to inspire a sense of awe and wonder at the sheer magnitude of the Divine? Perhaps, by striving for that balance, we can begin to glimpse that unified reality, that ultimate Oneness, even here in this world.