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Biography of Yehuda Katz | Archives | This week's Parsha

VEETCHANON

"And you shall love the L-rd your G-d........" (6:5)

The Rambam in Sefer Hamitzvot (Positive Commandment #3) comments that included in this Commandment is the obligation to cause others to love G-d as well, as our Sages (zecher Labrocha) have stated (Sifrei, Devarim 6:5) "Make Him (G-d) beloved by men".

There exists 2 methods by which G-d becomes beloved, one being passive and the other active.In this sheet we will, Bezer Hashem, deal primarily with the passive method.

People are constantly observing the behavior of others. The way a person walks, talks, dresses, eats, speaks......etc, influences how that individual will be viewed. A Torah observant Jew is in essence G-d's representative to the world. As a result, the way a Jew behaves in public or private has a definite influence on how the world views the Torahs teachings. If the world views a Torah Jew in a positive light then that in fact sanctifies G-ds name, and thus causes G-d to be beloved and glorified in the world.

The responsibilities of the Torah Jew are tremendous in this regard.....A good deal of Torah learning deals with character refinement.....Consider the following well, (1) We dress modestly,(2) we eat respectfully,(3) we speak politely, (4) we walk with humility............etc. All of these actions cause G-d's name to be praised in the world. By passively living a life imbued with Torah holiness and respectibility, G-d becomes beloved in the world. This in fact can cause the world to reevaluate its moral state of being. If the actions of a Torah Jew are beloved, then certainly G-d will become Beloved in the process. Have a good Shabbos.....

 


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