Va’etchanan – Love: The Eternal Bond

The word “love” opens many doors of possibilities. Throughout the Torah, we find depictions of love between man and Hashem, as well as between Hashem and the Nation of Israel. In this week’s Parsha, we are clued in to what love is really about.

Sefer Devarim is full of lessons already found in previous sections of the Torah. However, there are also many new additions and details, which lend a new layer of meaning. Throughout the Torah, Hashem reveals to the Nation of Israel why he chose us as His special nation. In this week’s Parsha, the addition reads as follows: (Devarim 7,7-8)

לֹ֣א מֵֽרֻבְּכֶ֞ם מִכָּל־הָֽעַמִּ֗ים חָשַׁ֧ק יְקֹוָ֛ק בָּכֶ֖ם וַיִּבְחַ֣ר בָּכֶ֑ם כִּֽי־ אַתֶּ֥ם הַמְעַ֖ט מִכָּל־הָעַמִּֽים: כִּי֩ מֵֽאַהֲבַ֨ת יְקֹוָ֜ק אֶתְכֶ֗ם וּמִשָּׁמְר֤וֹ אֶת־הַשְּׁבֻעָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּע֙ לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם הוֹצִ֧יא יְקֹוָ֛ק אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּיָ֣ד חֲזָקָ֑ה וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֙  מִבֵּ֣ית עֲבָדִ֔ים מִיַּ֖ד פַּרְעֹ֥ה מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרָֽיִם.

Hashem didn’t set his heart on you or choose you because you numbered more than any other people for you were the fewest of all peoples.

Rather, it was because Hashem loved you, and because he wanted to keep the oath which he had sworn to your ancestors, that Hashem brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from a life of slavery under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

For the first time Hashem mentions His love for His people. It is interesting to note that in the verse there is no actual reason given for Hashem‘s decision to make us His chosen people. It is simply because He loves us!

The Ramban (Nachmanides), on this verse, gives a profound insight into what love is all about. The true feeling of love cannot be explained or measured, but it can be recognized. When someone truly loves another, he is filled with a feeling of complete dedication and commitment. No matter what obstacles come in their path, that love will never be broken. Hashem, in His greatness, knew that the Nation of Israel had incredible potential and dedication. Hashem deliberately states His love for us following the many sinful events that might have impaired our relationship (such as the golden calf, the sin of Korach and forty years of traveling in the desert). Despite these offenses, our dedication and love for Hashem only grew stronger.

Parshat Va’etchanan is always read directly after Tisha B’av, the saddest day of the Jewish calendar. On this day, we mourn the destruction of our two holy Temples. Many other tragic events in Jewish history occurred on this day. These include, the First Crusade in 1095, the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, and the outbreak of WWI.

The message of unbreakable love has an incredible connection with Tisha B’av. On this day, Jews around the world mourn those dark times in Jewish history. On Tisha B’av we fast, we refrain from wearing freshly laundered clothing or leather shoes, and from all types of joyous activity. For the entire day, we recite Kinnot, prayers of sorrow and pain. We lament the murder, pain, and suffering of the Jewish people. However, as the day comes to a close, the prayer of Aleinu is recited,

עלינו לשבח לאדון הכל לתת גדולה ליוצר בראשית

It is upon us to praise the master of everything, to give greatness to the creator of beginning.

We conclude a painful day with the most uplifting prayer, stating our deep love and connection to the Master of the World. We can best understand this unbreakable bond through the love of a parent for a child. No matter how far a child has strayed, the parent will always love them. When a parent enacts harsh discipline, it is ultimately out of love to benefit the child. The reverse relationship stands true, as well. No matter how much we as a nation have suffered, we always turn to Hashem. We run to obtain his love and embrace.

May we internalize the power of love and strengthen our relationship with the Master of the Universe.