V'ahavta - וְאָהַבְתָּ ‘…And you shall love…’ by Hadassah in Jerusalem, ISRAEL

Special Love For His People introduction!

 Hadassah in Jerusalem, ISRAEL

We are very excited to be introducing today to you Hadassah, who will be bringing another new, weekly encouraging word, directly from Israel. She and her family have become dear friends of Laurie and I, and we are happy for all of us!

On a weekly basis, you will hear her heart, feel her smile, and learn what life is like living in the Land, as the Lord God of Israel continues to bring His chosen ones back to their homeland.

Be blessed in this blessing!

Ahava (love) and shalom (peace),

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

 

וְאָהַבְתָּ    ‘…And you shall love…’

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When asked, “What is the greatest command?” Y’shua quoted a verse which all Jewish men prayed twice a day. It is called the ‘V’ahavta’ and is the first word of the great command. It means ‘and you shall love’. The V’ahavta is part of the Sh’ma that is found in Deuteronomy 6.  Out of the 613 laws in the Torah, Y’shua said that this is the most important. It is on this command all others are built.

‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your might.’ Deuteronomy 6:5

From this command, all of our life springs- including the second greatest command to love our neighbor as ourselves. (Mark 12:31) It is central to everything we believe, practice and live for- in the big things and in the small; in the mundane and the glorious. We bring into everything the thought, the passion, and desire - that we love God with our whole being.

Since there is a tendency to forget, we have a reminder that God commanded: to ‘write these words on your doorposts’. The Mezuzah (doorpost in Hebrew) is what has developed over time to obey this command. Inside a little box attached to the right side of the doorpost is a parchment with Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21.

Coming and going we are presented with opportunities to remember, to refocus, to examine- even quickly- our love for the LORD. Even though it is a small thing- this little box on the door has the potential to work great things in our hearts.

Nissim & Hadassah

Jerusalem, Israel

June 2017

Hadassah and Nissim, her accountant husband, live in a settlement just outside Jerusalem with their dog Molly. After making Aliyah (immigrating) from the U.S. with their 5 children in 1989  they are now semi-retired and open their home to guests and those wishing to make Aliyah. When not busy with their 16 'GrandWonders', they enjoy a quiet life of study, prayer and learning to serve the LORD.