The love of God : divine gift, human gratitude, and mutual faithfulness in Judaism

261 Pages·2016·9.62 MB·English

by  Levenson

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THE LOVE O GOD
Library of Jewish Ideas
Cosponsored by the Tikvah Fund
The series presents engaging and authoritative treatments of core
Jewish concepts in a form appealing to general readers who are
curious about Jewish treatments of key areas of human thought
and experience.
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THE LOVE O GOD
Divine Gift, Human Gratitude,
and Mutual Faithfulness in Judaism
J O N D. L E V E N S O N
Pri nc eton U n i v e r si t y Pre s s
Princeton and Oxford
Copyright © 2016 by Princeton University Press
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Jacket art: Modified detail of a mosaic in the Synagogue of Enschede.
Original photo courtesy of Kleuske / Wikimedia Commons
All Rights Reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Levenson, Jon Douglas, author.
The love of God : divine gift, human gratitude,
and mutual faithfulness in Judaism / Jon D. Levenson.
pages cm. — (Library of Jewish ideas)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-691-16429-8 (hardcover : alk. paper)
1. God (Judaism)—
Love. I. Title.
BM610.L45 2015
296.3'112—dc23
2015017872
British Library Cataloging- in- Publication Data is available
Publication of this book has been aided by the Tikvah Fund
This book has been composed in Minion Pro and Helvetica
Printed on acid- free paper. ∞
Printed in the United States of America
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
For Beverly,
Proverbs 18:22

He used to say: Beloved is humanity, for they were created in
the image [of God]. Even greater is the love in that it is made
known to them that they were created in the image [of God],
as it is said, “For in the image of God He made humanity.”
(Gen 9:6)
Beloved are Israel, for they have been called the children of
God. Even greater is the love in that it is made known to them
that they have been called the children of God, as it is said,
“You are the children of the Lord your God.” (Deut 14:1)
Beloved are Israel, for a precious instrument has been given to
them. Even greater is the love in that it is made known to them
that the precious instrument through which the world was
created has been given to them, as it is said, “For I have given
you good instruction; / Do not forsake My Torah.” (Prov 4:2)
Mishnah1

• • 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