7/30/25
So I was assigned an article to read by my Rabbi (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/love-the-lord/) from My Jewish Learning.
(I love that site by the way, it is such a great resource on everything Judaism.)
And it was an interesting read.
First thing I had to do was look up the exact definition of ‘piety’ because I had to make sure I wasn’t conflating it with some Christian belief/understandings.
They mention the verse that says “Love the Lord your Gd with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” which immediately sends my brain to the Bible verse that goes something like: “Love the Lord your Gd with all your heart, with all your mind, and all your soul and lean not on your own understanding and He will make your path straight”.
It’s always interesting what’ll bring out my random Sunday School knowledge.
The article mentioned that Rashi says to perform the commandments out of love.
And I have to agree. If you are performing commandments out of fear, as soon as that fear fades, the drive to complete those commandments will fade as well. Or, if you get used to the fear, you don’t feel the need to complete the commandments as you learn to live with the fear and the consequences of not doing it. Or I think it can overwhelm you and leave you kind of paralyzed, so you, again, don’t complete the commandments.
But love, oh serving Gd out of love makes it a joy to complete the commandments/tasks given to you. They aren’t a burden or as overwhelming when they are willingly and willfully taken on. It can get overwhelming learning the new commandments, and that can make you stop too, but it feels easier to return to the commandments and to try again when you are doing it out of love for Hashem than fear of Him.
I also learned a new term- Gomel Hesed. It means one who bestows lovingkindness.
And I think that describes Hashem really well.
Converting Kassie 