from the teachings of the Rebbe on the Torah portion
In this week’s Torah portion, Vaetchanan, we have the famous, fundamental words of the “Shema” followed by the command to love G-d: “And you shall love the L-rd, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
When it comes to loving someone, you either do or you don’t. You cannot be commanded to love another. How then do we fulfill this commandment?
G-d “wants” to be understood, to be known. The more we understand G-d, the more we love Him. Being that G-d is infinite there is always more to know.
To be loved, is to be understood. Most women know this naturally, as they yearn to be understood. When they are understood they feel loved.
To understand, you must listen. To listen is to remove ones personal perception and feelings on the subject and hear it from the other’s perspective totally. To listen is not just about hearing, it’s about picking up on nuances such as facial expressions, body language and hints. To experience the other.
Again, most women naturally know how to listen, most men do not, hence the complaint “he doesn’t listen.” Good listening takes effort.
G-d is saying, try to understand Me, from My perspective. Hints are found all over the Torah. Pick up on the hints, listen.
G-d is asking us to understand: Why did He create this world? How do we fit in the scheme of things? He wants us to understand Him, to know Him.
A hint to this is found in the first verse of the Shema: “Listen Israel, the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is one.”
In the Torah, this verse has two oversized letters “ayin” (ע) and “dalet” (ד). Together they make up the word דע – dah, to know or understand.
If you will listen – Shema, You will understand – Dah (know), that HaShem is our G-d, HaShem is One. In other words, if you will listen you will begin to understand what G-d is all about – and then you will love G-d.
Knowing G-d’s purpose for us and His reasoning, will motivate you and animate you, as you will find deep meaning in fulfilling G-d’s will. You will fulfill G-d’s will not from a feeling of obligation but rather from love.
Listen, understand, love.
Adapted by Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz from the teachings of the Rebbe, yitzihurwitz.blogspot.com. Rabbi Hurwitz, who is battling ALS, and his wife Dina, are emissaries of the Rebbe in Temecula, Ca.
