…וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ עֵ֣קֶב תִּשְׁמְע֗וּן אֵ֤ת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם…וַאֲהֵ֣בְךָ֔ וּבֵרַכְךָ֖ וְהִרְבֶּ֑ךָ וּבֵרַ֣ךְ פְּרִֽי־בִטְנְךָ֣
“This shall be the reward (1) when you hearken to these ordinances, and you observe and perform them; Hashem, your God…will love you, bless you and multiply you” (Devarim 7:12-13).
The foremost and #1 reward in return for mitzvah observance is the love of Hashem. (2) Love is the absolute greatest good of all and encompasses all good. (3) Nothing compares to the blissful, heartwarming feeling and excitement of Hashem’s love and closeness. Without a doubt, Hashem loves us unconditionally. Nevertheless, it’s all about building a solid relationship with Him, which we ourselves have the power to intensify and heighten. Naturally, like any relationship, the more one’s actions for another are inspired by love, the stronger their mutual connection becomes. Therefore, by performing the commandments out of love, one could acquire limitless levels of loving connection with Hashem. (4)
However, what if one honestly and truly wants to increase their love for Hashem, but doesn’t constantly feel this love? First off, the very fact that one wants to experience this love is in itself a very lofty thing and is a positive step along the way in reaching their elevated goal. Secondly, make it a regular habit to repeat frequently, “I love You, my Father, my King, Creator and Sustainer of the universe.” Whenever you’re given an opportunity to perform a mitzvah or happen to experience anything positive in your life, realize that it’s a gift from your loving Creator. Use every positive moment in your life to add to your love for Hashem by saying, “I love you, Hashem Yitbarach.” (5) Each HLU blog is aimed to give the reader the tools and techniques for upgrading one’s Ahavat Hashem.
May Hashem help us to always serve Him properly and may He grant us a life of true excellence, a life which is empowered by pure love and constantly filled with love.
(1) As translated by Onkelos, R’ Saadyah Gaon, and Ibn Ezra; (2) Similarly, see Pirkei Avot 4:2; (3) Malbim, Ralbag Beur HaMilot, Haamek Davar, Sefer HaYashar 5:13; (4) Ramban, Behkor Shor; (5) R’ Zelig Pliskin, “Upgrade Your Mind, Upgrade Your Life”