The Love of God: Divine Gift, Human Gratitude, and Mutual Faithfulness in Judaism

by Jon D. Levenson

Overview

A compelling interpretation of a foundational concept of Jewish religious life

The love of God is arguably the most essential element in Judaism—but also one of the most confounding. In biblical and rabbinic literature, the obligation to love God appears as a formal commandment. Yet most people today think of love as a feeling and wonder how an emotion can be commanded. Jon Levenson traces the origins of the concept to the ancient institution of covenant, showing how covenantal love is a matter neither of sentiment nor of dry legalism. In origin, the love of God is, instead, thoroughly relational in nature, inseparable from the deeply personal two-way relationship that finds expression in God's mysterious love for the people of Israel, who in turn observe God's laws out of profound gratitude for his acts of deliverance and continuing faithfulness to him in the face of temptations to abandon the relationship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691202501
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	03/31/2020
Series:	Library of Jewish Ideas , #8
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Jon D. Levenson is the Albert A. List Professor of Jewish Studies at Harvard University. His many books include Resurrection and the Restoration of Israel, which won the National Jewish Book Award, and Inheriting Abraham (Princeton).

Table of Contents

A Note on Transliteration from Hebrew xi

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xix

Abbreviations xxi

ONE A Covenantal Love 1

TWO Heart, Soul, and Might 59

THREE The Once and Future Romance 90

FOUR The Consummation of the Spiritual Life 143

FIVE "Because He has sold Himself to us with the Torah" 180

Notes 199

Index of Primary Sources 227

Index of Modern Authors 233

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The Love of God can be read for its original point of view, as a history of ideas, or as a way of finding new meaning in familiar ways of talking about God. It succeeds brilliantly on all counts."—Jewish Book Council

"Highly readable and engaging."—Clint Schnekloth, Word & World

"Compelling. . . . A masterpiece of clarity and precision."—J. L. Manzo, Catholic Biblical Quarterly

"Levenson does not simply explore the concept of love of God through Bible and tradition. Reading his graceful prose, like performing the deeds commanded by Torah, also evokes and inspires the very love it has so carefully described."—Fran Leap, Horizons: The Journal of the College Theology Society

"A masterful work."—Erik Dreff, Religious Studies Review

Editorial Reviews

10/19/2015
Levenson (The Restoration of Israel), a professor of Jewish Studies at Harvard, offers a sophisticated discussion about the love of God in ancient, rabbinic, and modern forms of Judaism. After dispensing with modern conceptions of emotional, comforting love for God as misplaced, Levenson observes that a true covenant with God requires honoring specific obligations prescribed in the Torah; God's love for the people of Israel is intimately tied to their deliverance through requisite practices. The idea that God demands a love expressed by service in absolute covenantal obedience may not sit well with some readers; however, Levenson opens space for debate surrounding the evolution of God's relationship with the Jewish people. Historical examples elucidate his points, ranging from the erotic interpretations by some biblical prophets to a discussion of the spiritual discipline of the Middle Ages, and an interpretation of more recent scholarship from thinkers such as Martin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig. Although this is not a spiritual guidebook, believers will find here an inspiring reminder of the place of gratitude and reciprocity when considering their relationship with God. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"Our debt to Levenson is enormous. Here we receive the benefit of his attentive perception, which permits both Jewish and Christian readers of the Bible to see how much is shared, even given our formidable differences."

The Christian Century

"[Levenson] skillfully weaves together a wealth of biblical passages that demonstrate that love of God entails a mutual relationship between God and Israel. . . . This book admirably demonstrates the impact of changing social realities, on Israel and on the Jewish people, amid which affection for God perseveres."

Choice

"A profound and erudite book that made me think about the love between God and the Jewish people in a whole new way. Prayers that will be familiar to most observant Jews—the Shma, Lekha Dodi, Yedid Nefesh, the phrase from Hosea that is said when wrapping tefillin on one's finger—take on deeper meaning with Levenson's guidance. . . . Exquisitely crafted. . . . If you are Jewish and/or interested in what the biblical commandment to love God means, go read it!"—-Ira Stoll, former Washington correspondent and managing editor, The Forward

From the Publisher

"Jon Levenson's explication of these ideas is a miracle of organization, precision, and clarity. He writes accessibly and conversationally, belying his immense scholarship. The Love of God can be read for its original point of view, as a history of ideas, or as a way of finding new meaning in familiar ways of talking about God. It succeeds brilliantly on all counts."

Jewish Book Council

★ 10/01/2015
This latest work by prolific author and historian Levenson (Jewish studies, Harvard Univ., Inheriting Abraham) exhibits his intellect in a subject that, as he argues, is central to the heart of Judaism but is too seldom discussed: the love of God. Moving broadly through history, beginning with Scriptural and Talmudic understandings, with an important excursus on sexual love as a metaphor for both the brokenness of the relationship between God and God's people and the hope of renewal, the author then moves onward into the Middle Ages of Maimonides and the 20th century spanning the works of philosophers Martin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig. VERDICT An important, sober, and rewarding work that will find an audience among academic readers.

Library Journal