| "If you listen to My commandments that I command you today, to love HaShem..." (Devarim 11:13).
Is to "love HaShem" the sum total of what HaShem requires of us? Aren't there 613 commandments?
King David said, "My soul knows very much" (Tehillim 139:14). Meaning, the soul is inherently wise; it knows HaShem. However, the material element of the body conceals a person's inner light. Therefore, HaShem gave us the Mitzvot, which protect the soul from the earthly influence.
The Talmud (Shabbat 152b) presents a parable that alludes to this. A king distributed royal garments to his servants. The wise among them stored them in a chest, whereas the fools wore them while they did their work. Subsequently, the king requested that his garments be returned. The wise ones returned perfectly clean garments, while the fools returned soiled garments. The king was pleased with the wise but angry with the fools.
HaShem gives us souls, which He will collect in the future. If we return them clean, HaShem will reward us with Eternal Life in Gan Eden. Yet, if we return them soiled, they must be purified.
The purpose of the Torah is to safeguard the soul so that it remains pure and holy. As long as the soul is protected through Mitzvah observance, it is drawn to it's Source, the Holy Creator. It is filled with love for the Creator because it was formed from the Divine element of holiness.
Now we understand the verse, "If you listen to My commandments that I command you today, to love HaShem." Through Mitzvah observance the soul will assume it's natural state -- "to love HaShem."
The fulfillment of the Mitzvot awakens love within the soul of man, the very purpose of creation. (Based on Da'as Torah of Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz)
| 
