Love. This is one of the words that appears most frequently in this week's Torah portion, again and again. 8 times we are asked to love, or are told that God loves us: "to walk in all His ways and to love Him," "Only in your fathers did the Lord delight to love them," "And it shall be, if you listen diligently to My commandments which I command you today - to love the Lord your God."
Rashi explains here a fundamental principle: "Whatever you do - do it out of love, and honor will eventually come." We are supposed to observe the Torah and commandments not in order to receive reward, honor, or any benefit, but out of love. When we work from love, all of these will come naturally.
This portion is so fitting for these hot days, for the end of summer vacation, for August. In the most crowded and pressured and sometimes a bit oppressive days - to shower love. To remember that we are loved.
Even when there's tension, even when it's hot and annoying, love is there, at the foundation of the relationship. Whatever you do - even in August - do it out of love.
Shabbat Shalom.
