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Why does Rashi (רש"י) add "v'sofa kavod lavo" after defining love of God as serving without ulterior motives? The shiur develops that true love requires giving without conditions while knowing the other person is committed to giving back. This transforms our understanding of mitzvah (מצוה) observance from potential resentment to genuine relationship.
Rabbi Zweig explores the fundamental distinction between love and martyrdom in Jewish service to God, beginning with Rashi (רש"י)'s seemingly contradictory comment on "l'ahavah et Hashem (ה׳) Elokeichem." Rashi defines love as serving God without ulterior motives—not for fame, wealth, or reward—yet immediately adds "v'sofa kavod lavo" (eventually honor will come). This appears to undermine the very definition of selfless love just provided. The shiur argues this reflects the most important principle in Torah (תורה): Judaism is not about self-sacrifice or martyrdom, but about a loving relationship where we give freely while knowing God is committed to giving to us. True love means giving without conditions from our perspective, but understanding that the other party's agenda is to give to us. Without this knowledge, we fall into destructive martyrdom rather than genuine relationship.
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Parshas Eikev 7:12, 11:13
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