Fear God and Expect Reciprocation: The Paradox of Love

Full Summary

Rabbi Zweig analyzes a fundamental paradox in the Mishnah (משנה) of Antignus Ish Socho, who taught that we should serve God like servants who work without expectation of reward, yet also fear God. Rashi (רש"י) appears to contradict himself by explaining that love means serving without reward, while fear stems from the absence of reward - creating a logical inconsistency. The shiur examines multiple contradictory sources: the Mishnah in chapter 2 that implies we should consider reward when performing mitzvos, the Talmudic dialogue between Moshe and God about entering Israel specifically to do mitzvos for reward, and Rashi's commentary on 'V'ahavta' that defines love as service without expectation of money, fame, or reward, yet concludes 'but in the end you will be rewarded.' Rabbi Zweig rejects Rav Chaim Volozhin's explanation that we should only want reward because it gives God pleasure to give it, calling this level beyond most people's reach. Instead, he proposes a revolutionary understanding: God cannot owe us anything because He owns us completely - He created us and constantly sustains our existence. However, this doesn't negate our expectation of reward. True love requires reciprocity. When we serve God out of love knowing He owes us nothing, we simultaneously expect reciprocation because love by definition must be mutual. If someone consistently gives love without receiving any response, they are engaged in self-destruction, not love. This explains why idolatry is defined as serving 'elohim acherim' - estranged gods who ignore their worshippers. The Torah (תורה) immediately follows the commandment to love God with promises of rain and prosperity, demonstrating that divine love includes reciprocal response. Rabbi Zweig distinguishes this from a business relationship where service creates debt. In love, we give freely without creating obligation, but we rightfully expect the beloved to respond with love in return. This resolves all the contradictions: we serve without creating divine obligation, yet legitimately expect God's loving response, and naturally choose actions that bring Him greater pleasure, knowing He will reciprocate with greater love.