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How can the Torah (תורה) command us to feel emotions like love and joy? The shiur develops the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s yesod that emotions stem from perspective - ahavah grows through contemplating Hashem (ה׳)'s greatness, while ka'as dissolves when we recognize divine providence behind others' actions. This reframes middos work as cultivating wisdom rather than forcing feelings.
This profound shiur begins with an analysis of the tochacha in Parshas Ki Savo, specifically examining the pasuk "tachas asher lo avad'ta es Hashem (ה׳) Elokeicha b'simcha uv'tuv levav merov kol." Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L contrasts Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation (that Klal Yisrael failed to serve Hashem with joy despite having everything good) with the Tur Moreh's opposite reading (that abundance itself caused their lack of appreciation). This leads to a fundamental question: how can we be commanded to feel emotions like love and joy? The shiur then explores the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s approach in Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah, who explains that love and fear of Hashem develop through contemplating His wondrous creations and recognizing His infinite wisdom. This creates both ahavah (from wanting to connect to greatness) and yirah (from recognizing our smallness in comparison). The Rambam distinguishes between "avodah she'telu'ah badavar" (service motivated by personal benefit) and "avodah she'einah telu'ah badavar" (service motivated by recognition of inherent greatness).
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Parshas Ki Savo 28:47
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