Love With No Object

There is a way of loving not attached to what is loved.
Observe how water is with

The ground, always moving toward the ocean, though the ground tries to hold the water’s foot

and not let it go. This is how we are with wine and beautiful food, wealth and power,

or just a dry piece of bread: we want and we get drunk with
wanting, then the headache

and bitterness afterward. Those prove that the attachment took
hold and held you back. Now you

proudly refuse help. “My love is pure. I have an intuitive
union with God. I don’t need

anyone to show me how to be free!” This is not the case.
A love with no object

is a true love. All else, shadow without substance.
(The Ecstatic Poetry of Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks)

There is an important change in the verse in the second paragraph of Shema, found in this week’s portion, from a verse in the first paragraph: “You shall teach them thoroughly to your children and you shall speak of them.” (Deuteronomy 6:7) In this week’s portion the Torah teaches: “You shall teach them to your children to discuss them.” (11:19)

Only a heart overflowing with love for Torah can teach it so that our children and students will discuss the Torah’s words on their own.

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Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.