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What distinguishes temporary love from eternal love according to Avos 5:16? The shiur develops the concept that true love transcends its initial reasons when two identities merge into one. This explains both human relationships and why God's covenant with Avrohom was based on 'ahavah she'einah tluya b'davar' - love that had moved beyond reasons to absolute oneness.
This shiur provides an in-depth analysis of Pirkei Avos 5:16, which states that love dependent on a reason will cease when the reason disappears, while love not dependent on a reason endures forever. Rabbi Zweig begins by examining Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation, which distinguishes between love where the beloved is merely a means to an end versus love where the beloved is the end itself. However, Rabbi Zweig questions Rashi's approach, noting that the Mishna literally speaks of love 'for no reason,' which seems impossible since all relationships begin for reasons. The shiur develops a novel understanding: 'ahavah she'einah tluya b'davar' doesn't mean love that never had reasons, but rather love that has transcended its original reasons. Every relationship begins with reasons - shared interests, admiration, attraction. But true love evolves beyond these initial motivations when two people share enough experiences that their identities merge into one. At this stage, there's no separation between lover and beloved; they become unified like a person's love for themselves.
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Pirkei Avos 5:16
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