Love

Values

Many biblical characters are described as loving their spouses or children. The Torah commands people to love in specific contexts – like loving one’s fellow, the stranger, and God – and Song of Songs consists of poetic conversations between two lovers. Jewish texts composed over thousands of years explore the wonders, hardships, and practical manifestations of love.

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Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

TANAKH

In the context of a series of commandments governing interpersonal relationships, Leviticus 19 warns against bearing grudges and commands loving one's fellow as oneself.

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against members of your people. Love your fellow [Israelite] as yourself: I am יהוה.

Leviticus 19:18

Transformative Power of Love and Repentance

CHASIDUT

According to some Chasidic texts, repentance driven by profound love can transform even premeditated sins into virtues. The Tanya, a foundational text of Chabad Chasidism, delves into the mystical and ethical dimensions of repentance and love for God.

It is concerning the repentance out of such great love that they have said, “The penitent’s premeditated sins become, in his case, like virtues,” since thereby he has attained to this great love.

Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 7:10

Songs of Love

KABBALAH

The Zohar presents a unique perspective on showing love, explaining why King Solomon didn't have to play music. This foundational kabbalistic text delves into deep spiritual concepts and is a cornerstone of Jewish mysticism.

Hence Solomon had no need to sing like David, save one song which is beloved of wealth, and is the jewel and favourite of all chants of praises, since it contains the praises recited by the Matron when she sits on the throne opposite the King.

Zohar, Vayechi 82:838

The Hidden Greatness of Love and Faithfulness

COMMENTARY

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks argues that true royalty lies in love and faithfulness, and greatness often exists where it is least expected. In his commentary on the Torah portion Vayeshev, Sacks highlights marginalized individuals' moral courage and significance in Jewish history.

I find it exceptionally moving that the Bible should cast in these heroic roles two figures at the extreme margins of Israelite society: women, childless widows, outsiders. Tamar and Ruth, powerless except for their moral courage, wrote their names into Jewish history as role models who gave birth to royalty – to remind us, in case we ever forget, that true royalty lies in love and faithfulness, and that greatness often exists where we expect it least.

Covenant and Conversation; Genesis; The Book of the Beginnings, Vayeshev, A Tale of Two Women 21

Inspired by Love

REFERENCE

Rabbinic tradition describes how Rachel's love and support inspired Rabbi Akiva to pursue Torah study, leading him to become one of the greatest sages in Jewish history. Gershom Bader's 20th-century biographical account showcases the impact of love and dedication in the story of Rabbi Akiva and his wife.

Rachel, the daughter of Kalba Savua, loved Akiba and promised to become his wife if he would agree to devote himself to learning. It is told that Akiba was at that time already a man close to forty years of age and he did not even know the Alphabet. He had a son by a previous wife who was also an uneducated man. The love of Kalba Savua’s daughter was variously interpreted. Some said that it was but the whim of a spoiled rich man’s daughter who became infatuated with a shepherd. Others reasoned that the shepherd must have possessed such noble traits as would captivate even so noble a lady as…

The Jewish Spiritual Heroes, Volume I; The Creators of the Mishna, Rabbi Akiba ben Joseph 4

Conditional vs. Unconditional Love

MISHNAH

Pirkei Avot distinguishes between conditional and unconditional love. This tractate of the Mishnah, known for its ethical teachings, provides insights into the nature of love and relationships.

All love that depends on a something, [when the] thing ceases, [the] love ceases; and [all love] that does not depend on anything, will never cease. What is an example of love that depended on a something? Such was the love of Amnon for Tamar. And what is an example of love that did not depend on anything? Such was the love of David and Jonathan.

Pirkei Avot 5:16

The Highest Form of Love

JEWISH THOUGHT

Understanding the different kinds of love can help people strive for the highest form of love, which is based on intrinsic goodness and is unchanging. Rabbi Joseph Albo, in his 15th-century philosophical work Sefer HaIkkarim, distinguishes between love of the good, the useful, and the agreeable.

Love is of three kinds: The love of the good, the love of the useful, and the love of the agreeable. To love the good is to love a thing solely because it is good, without the element of the usefulness or pleasure of the object entering into the feeling. To love the useful is to love a thing solely because of the utility one may derive from it. To love the agreeable is to love a thing because of the pleasure one derives from it, not because it is good or useful, but only because it is agreeable. The love of the useful and the love of the agreeable admit of degrees of more and less according to…

Sefer HaIkkarim, Maamar 3 35:2

A Bond of Loyalty and Friendship

SECOND TEMPLE

The deep, emotional bond and mutual loyalty between two biblical figures highlight their profound friendship and the sorrow of their impending separation. Josephus, in his first-century historical work, provides a detailed account of Jewish history, including the touching story of this friendship.

10. And then it was that the king's son rose hastily from supper; and being unable to admit any thing into his mouth for grief, he wept all night, both because he had himself been near destruction, and because the death of David was determined: but as soon as it was day, he went out into the plain that was before the city, as going to perform his exercises, but in reality to inform his friend what disposition his father was in towards him, as he had agreed with him to do; and when Jonathan had done what had been thus agreed, he dismissed his servant that followed him, to return to the city…

The Antiquities of the Jews 6:11:10

Jacob's Strategic Love

MIDRASH

Jacob's love for Rachel was not only deep but also strategic, as he took steps to ensure he married the person he truly loved despite potential deceit. The classical midrash Bereshit Rabbah delves into the story of Jacob and Rachel, highlighting themes of love, patience, and the challenges Jacob faced due to Laban's deceit.

“Jacob loved Rachel, and he said: I will work for you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter” (Genesis 29:18).
“Jacob loved Rachel” – [Jacob said to Laban:] ‘Because I know that the residents of your place are deceitful, that is why I am clarifying my deal with you. “He said: I will work for you…for Rachel, your…daughter” – Rachel but not Leah. “Your daughter” – so you will not bring another from the marketplace whose name is Rachel. “Younger” – so you will not exchange their names for one another…

Bereshit Rabbah 70:17

The Poetry of Love

TANAKH

Song of Songs vividly captures the passionate and poetic nature of romantic love, set against the backdrop of a blooming natural world. This ancient biblical text, attributed to King Solomon, uses rich imagery and metaphor to describe the pursuit and union of two lovers, often interpreted as a metaphor for the relationship between God and Israel.

Hark! My beloved!
There he comes,
Leaping over mountains,
Bounding over hills. My beloved is like a gazelle
Or like a young stag.
There he stands behind our wall,
Gazing through the window,
Peering through the lattice. My beloved spoke thus to me,
“Arise, my darling;
My fair one, come away! For now the winter is past,
The rains are over and gone. The blossoms have appeared in the land,
The time of pruning has come;
The song of the turtledove
Is heard in our land.

Song of Songs 2:8-12

Love and Family Harmony

JEWISH THOUGHT

The Talmud describes how love, honor, and guidance are essential for household peace and harmony. 20th-century scholar Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits presents opinions in the Talmud about the relationship between spouses.

Our Rabbis taught: Of a man who loves his wife as himself, who honors her more than himself, who guides his sons and daughters in the right path and arranges for them to be married near the time of their puberty, Scripture says (Job 5:24), And you shall know that your tent is at peace. Yevamot 62b

What is the Talmud, VII What is written in the Talmud?, 3 Man and wife 12

Love and Loyalty of a Servant

TANAKH

In biblical law, a servant who has completed his term of service may choose to remain with his master out of genuine love and contentment. The book of Deuteronomy recounts Moses’s final speeches, including laws and reminders of key events.

But should he say to you, “I do not want to leave you”—for he loves you and your household and is happy with you—

Deuteronomy 15:16

God's Eternal Love Through the Prophets

TARGUM

The prophets discuss God's eternal love for the biblical forefathers. Targum Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Prophets, provides insights into Jewish thought and tradition.

Jerusalem said: From the early days, God revealed himself to our forefathers through the prophets, and said to them: "I have loved you with eternal love.

Targum Jonathan on Jeremiah 31:3

Generational Love

TALMUD

The generational nature of love within a family can lead to complex emotional dynamics and preferences. The Talmud recounts a story where Rav Huna finds a fragrant date and passes it to his son Rabba, who then gives it to his own son, Abba.

The Gemara relates that Rav Huna found a fragrant date. He took it and wrapped it in his shawl. Rabba, his son, came and said to him: I smell the aroma of a fragrant date. Rav Huna said to him: My son, there is clearly purity in you, as you were able to notice the fragrance. He gave it to him. Meanwhile, Abba, Rabba’s son, arrived. Rabba took the date and gave it to him. Rav Huna said to Rabba: My son, you have made my heart rejoice with your purity, and you have blunted my teeth…

Sotah 49a:10

Loving God with All One's Heart

TANAKH

The Shema prayer emphasizes loving God with all one's heart, soul, and might, and the importance of instilling this love in daily life and teaching it to one's children. This central declaration of faith in Judaism is recited during morning and evening prayers, underscoring the oneness of God and the commitment to God's commandments.

Hear, O Israel! יהוה is our God, יהוה alone. You shall love your God יהוה with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day. Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead; inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Honoring Parents Through Love

MUSAR

Loving and honoring one's parents is a fundamental commandment in Judaism, deeply rooted in the Torah. The 15th-century ethical work, Orchot Tzadikim, emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the efforts of parents in raising and educating their children in the ways of the Torah and commandments.

And love for father and mother should be in this manner — that he should be ever mindful that they reared him and exerted themselves to teach him the ways of the Lord, may He be Blessed, and instructed him and educated him as to Torah and Commandments, and it is through them that he can fulfill the command of the Creator, may He be Blessed, as it is written: "Honor your father and your mother" (Exod. 20:12).

Orchot Tzadikim 5:14

Love and Comfort in Marriage

TANAKH

Isaac's love for Rebecca comforted him after the loss of his mother, Sarah. The book of Genesis recounts the story of Isaac marrying Rebecca and finding solace in her love, highlighting the personal and comforting nature of love within the context of marriage.

Isaac then brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he took Rebekah as his wife. Isaac loved her, and thus found comfort after his mother’s death.

Genesis 24:67

Who is she that comes up from the desert, Ze'ev Raban, 1930 © Rights reserved to the artist, courtesy of the Doron-Winter family, Jerusalem

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