For the Love of God

(Published in The Outreach, January 2004)
The Outreach is the newsletter of Valley Outreach Synagogue, Reseda, California
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We begin 2004 with a Shabbat service on the theme of “Love”. In a sense, such a service should need no introduction. The word, love, is clear to all of us. It is ironic though that in our language, such a powerful word can be ascribed to such a vast gamut of relationships and feelings. “Love” can describe our deep passion for a life partner; the very different bond between parent and child, or even our adoration of material pleasures. “Oh, how I love chocolate!” It seems rude to then use the same word to express my feelings toward my wife! (Truth be told, her passion for chocolate is greater than mine, so she might even be flattered).

In the central prayers of our service, the Shma and Veahavta, we are told to “love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” A tall task? I would say so, considering that I can at least see, feel, taste and smell the chocolate melting in my hand. How can I be directed to love an intangible, unknowable “God”? The word hardly evokes clarity.

I sometimes think that a relationship with God is analogous to one with a relative living in another country. When I am a child, my parents speak of this “uncle” living in distant land. Letters and holiday cards are sent throughout the year. In some of my correspondences I write of my experiences. In others, I express my desires to this silently listening figure. The flag on my mailbox is raised regularly though no letters are ever received in return. Over time, my parents’ respect and love for “Uncle” rubs off on me. The legendary character and all of his doings become real to me through their accounts. While I cannot prove his existence, I have little doubt that he opens and reads my mail in that place across the globe.

The Torah and siddur enrich our notion of God with poetic descriptions of God’s anthropomorphic qualities and actions. God is described as King, Master, Father, Bride, et al. God is compassionate, forgiving... All of these words have resonance in my world. Thus, I understand what it means to be Godlike or holy. I can comprehend God’s qualities and acts and thus I understand why this Creator deserves my ultimate love. In truth, no human being has as great an impact on the quality or length of my days. I can love God with all of my heart (my deepest human realization of love); with all of my soul (my loftiest experience of love) and with all of my might (my capacity to change the world).

If I can come to terms with love for God, then perhaps a simple means of fulfilling that love is to approach every endeavor and relationship in my life with such an holistic love; all my heart, all my soul, and with all my might.

Wishing you a New Year of health, peace and joy,

Cantor Ron Li-Paz