HaShem's Three Gifts of Love For Klal Yisrael \ Pirkei Avot
"Rabbi Akiva said, 'Beloved is man to HaShem for man is created in G-d's likeness...Beloved are the People of Israel to HaShem for they are called the 'Children of HaShem'...Beloved are the People of Israel to HaShem for he gave us the Torah.'" (Pirkei Avot 3:18)
Rabbi Akiva reveals three gifts of love that HaShem has bestowed upon us! Firstly, man is more beloved to HaShem than all the other creations because he was created in the Image of HaShem. Secondly, the People of Israel are more beloved to HaShem than all the other nations because we are called the "Children of HaShem." Thirdly, the People of Israel are beloved to HaShem because He gave us the holy Torah, the very purpose of Creation.
The three expressions of Divine Love encourage us to come close to HaShem. A person might feel that a finite, imperfect creature, cannot come close to the Creator, Who is eternal and perfect. However, when we realize that our very existence emanates from the three dimensions of Divine Love, we are inspired and encouraged to come close to HaShem!
Rabbi Akiva gives us the perspective to maintain a balanced attitude in our relationship to Hashem. The limitation of our nature helps us remember that our awareness of HaShem is limited. On the other hand, HaShem's expression of Love for us inspires us to draw close to HaShem through the Mitzvot.
May all Klal Yisrael be cognizant of HaShem's special Love for us, and may we in turn merit to draw close to HaShem!
(Based on the commentary of Rabenu Yonah)
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