Acts of Love: From Question to Action with Rabbi Yisroel Bernath

Daily Jewish Thought

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This episode dances around the age-old question, "What is Love?", the exploration begins with a universal quandary: the reason we question love's essence often stems from feelings of deficiency—either doubting the love from someone special or facing accusations of insufficient love ourselves. It suggests a poignant truth: we are most inclined to philosophize about love when its presence is questioned or feels lacking, much like no one questions the nature of a pastrami sandwich whilst enjoying one.

The narrative then divides the quest into two lanes: "Am I Loved?" and "Do I Love?", indicating that understanding love's impact on us can illuminate how we express love towards others. Love, as presented, is not an elusive sentiment detected by a mysterious heart's sensor but rather a series of tangible experiences perceived through our senses, validated by actions and expressions that signal to our brains and, consequently, to our hearts, the presence of love.

King Solomon's words in Proverbs "As water reflects a man’s face back to him, so is the heart of one man to another" is invoked to underscore that love, at its core, is a reflection, a reciprocal action that one can feel and recognize through the treatment they receive.

The episode emphasizes that love is fundamentally an action. It shifts the narrative from abstract conceptualization to practical expression, illustrating that love, akin to running or swimming, is defined by its enactment. The Hebrew word for love, "ahavah", rooted in the act of giving, encapsulates this ideology, positing that genuine love must manifest through tangible acts of kindness and care.

The discussion culminates with a divine perspective on love, referencing the commandment to love G-d, not as an emotional imposition but as a directive towards actionable love. This divine instruction echoes the broader theme: love is verified and validated through actions rather than mere feelings or declarations.

Takeaways:

1. Love as Reflection and Recognition: We seek the essence of love most acutely when its presence is in doubt. True love, however, is recognized through the actions and treatment we receive and give.
2. Love is Action, Not Just Emotion: The essence of love is captured not in abstract contemplation but in concrete actions and behaviors that convey care and affection.
3. The Divine Instruction on Love: The command to love God highlights the action-oriented nature of love, pushing us towards deeds of kindness as the true measure of love.

In essence, to question "What is Love?" is to embark on a journey from doubt to action, from introspection to expression, leading us to understand that the truest answer lies in how we act and respond to love in our lives. Love, therefore, is not just a state of being but a series of deliberate, loving actions that reflect our deepest commitments to others.
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