What Does Serving Hashem Out of Love Look Like?

When approaching Teshuva, our focus is often on atoning for past mistakes and mending our relationship with Hashem. However, it is also important to take a step back and consider the broader nature of our relationship with Him. To this end, the Rambam devotes the final chapter of Hilchot Teshuva, Chapter 10, to discussing how to serve Hashem out of love. This chapter guides us in deepening our overall connection with God, not just through repentance but by cultivating a loving and sincere relationship.

In Chapter 10, Mishnah 2 of Hilchot Teshuva, having already discussed how not to serve Hashem, the Rambam now turns his attention to how we ought to serve Him:

One who serves [God] out of love occupies himself in the Torah and the mitzvot and walks in the paths of wisdom for no ulterior motive: not because of fear that evil will occur, nor in order to acquire benefit. Rather, he does what is true because it is true, and ultimately, good will come because of it.

This is a very high level which is not merited by every wise man. It is the level of our Patriarch, Abraham, whom God described as, “he who loved Me,” for his service was only motivated by love.

God commanded us [to seek] this rung [of service] as conveyed by Moses as [Deuteronomy 6:5] states: “Love God, your Lord.” When a man will love God in the proper manner, he will immediately perform all of the mitzvot motivated by love.

In the previous Mishnah, the Rambam talked about the drawbacks of serving Hashem based on external motivations, such as fear of punishment or the desire for reward. In this Mishnah, he contrasts these extrinsic motivations with intrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic motivation involves serving Hashem out of love and a sincere commitment to what is right rather than because of external pressures or rewards. This kind of motivation is marked by a deep, personal dedication to truth and goodness, reflecting a true and internalized relationship with Hashem. The reason why this level of service is so elevated, as described by the Rambam, is that most people usually engage in activities only if they offer some personal benefit or gratification. It is rare for individuals to act purely out of selfless commitment without any trace of self-interest.

When we serve Hashem out of external motivations, we may approach commandments with a sense of duty or obligation, almost as if we are fulfilling a cold requirement. In contrast, serving God out of love means engaging with the Divine not just as an obligation but as a reflection of our deepest values and emotions. This love transforms our service into a heartfelt expression of our genuine connection to God rather than just a mechanical adherence to rules.

The commandment from Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love God, your Lord,” is not just a directive but a call to transform one’s entire approach to religious practice. It means that love for God should infuse every aspect of life, shaping all actions and decisions. When love becomes the central motivation, it harmonizes one’s actions and intentions, resulting in a unified and consistent approach to religious observance.

There are several ways to cultivate a love for Hashem. One effective method is through studying the Torah, where we can uncover its depth and beauty, which deepens our connection to God. Another way is by appreciating the natural world that Hashem has created; observing and reflecting on its wonders can inspire a sense of awe and love for the Creator.

The Rambam acknowledges that reaching this level of service is exceptionally challenging. Achieving this level requires significant intellectual and emotional development. One must cultivate a profound understanding of and connection to Hashem, beyond conventional religious practice. While this level is rare, it serves as an aspirational goal. It represents the pinnacle of spiritual achievement, inspiring us to strive for a deeper and more genuine connection with the divine.

There are several ways to cultivate a love for Hashem. One effective method is through studying the Torah, where we can uncover its depth and beauty, which deepens our connection to God. Another way is by appreciating the natural world that Hashem has created; observing and reflecting on its wonders can inspire a sense of awe and love for the Creator. The Rambam mentions this approach in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah (2:2), when he writes: 

What is the path [to attain] love and fear of Him? When a person contemplates His wondrous and great deeds and creations and appreciates His infinite wisdom that surpasses all comparison, he will immediately love, praise, and glorify [Him], yearning with tremendous desire to know [God’s] great name, as David stated: “My soul thirsts for the Lord, for the living God” [Psalms 42:3].

When he [continues] to reflect on these same matters, he will immediately recoil in awe and fear, appreciating how he is a tiny, lowly, and dark creature, standing with his flimsy, limited, wisdom before He who is of perfect knowledge, as David stated: “When I see Your heavens, the work of Your fingers… [I wonder] what is man that You should recall Him” [Psalms 8:4-5].

Additionally, recognizing and reflecting on the ways Hashem has personally guided and cared for us in our lives—through hashgacha pratit—can further strengthen our love and appreciation. Engaging in these practices helps to build a deeper, more personal relationship with Hashem.

As we begin the process of teshuva this Elul, let’s strive to achieve the ideal of loving Hashem. While fear of punishment and desire for reward are legitimate motivations, our goal should be to rise above these and adopt a more selfless approach driven by genuine love for God.