by Rabbi David Woznica
Love, apparently, is in the air. At least it should be given that it’s Valentine’s Day. I have a suggestion to enhance your Valentine’s Day dinner. Gather with those closest to you and, if you’re inclined, include a few others. Since candles add so much to ambiance, usher in the evening with candlelight. Say a prayer just after you light them. And then, since Valentine’s dinner is on a Friday night – voila – Shabbat. A romantic, candlelit dinner.
Given the theme of love, it is worth noting the Torah actually considers it a mitzvah to love three entities.
Love your neighbor. “Love your neighbor as yourself, I am God” (Leviticus 19:18) was so central to Judaism that Talmudic sages Hillel and Rabbi Akiva called this the central commandment of the Torah. Indeed, much of the Torah is devoted to shaping how we express that love.
Love the stranger. In Deuteronomy the Torah teaches, “Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Deut. 10:19). Many times the Torah commands us not to wrong or oppress strangers, but here the Torah goes farther, making it an affirmative requirement to love them.
Love God. “And you shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). The mitzvah to love God was understood by the Talmud to be expressed by observing the commandments and doing good deeds, being willing to give our lives rather than commit certain sins, and showing gratitude to God during difficult times.
Love your neighbor, love the stranger and love God.
This week the Torah portion includes the giving of the Ten Commandments. Among the verses preceding this pivotal moment God says to the Israelites, “Now then, if you obey Me faithfully and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured people” (Exodus 19:5).
A key word in the above verse above is “if”. It means the Israelite people are treasured if they obey God’s laws. In other words, God’s love is conditional. It is up to us to earn God’s love. How? In the words of the prophet Micah “He has told you, O Man, what is good and what the Lord demands of you: Only to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). In other words, God’s love is earned by acting morally. And, a God who links love to morality is a reason for those who love goodness to love God.
It’s a powerful lesson. Love is something we should not take for granted and continually strive to earn; with a spouse, parents, family, friends, and other loved ones. That strikes me as a wonderful message for all of us this Valentine’s Day.
