Blessings of Shema: Torah of Love

“With a great love have You loved us.” For only one who truly loves the Holy One, Blessed is He, with all his heart and all his soul and all his resources can study Torah (Midrash Tanchumah, Noach 3)

The relationship with God comes before Torah study. The relationship begins with our experiencing God’s love for us, before He asks us to love Him. It is our response of love to His love that allows us to study Torah as we should.

“Please allow us to fully experience Your great love so that we can love You in return and study Your Torah with love.”