Va’eschanan 6:5 · unit 1

TT #22 · Parashas Va’eschanan · Passuk 6:5

The Complete Passuk

וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכׇל־לְבָבְךָ֥ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכׇל־מְאֹדֶֽךָ׃

You shall love Hashem your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.

Chabad.org — 6:5

Source Citation

Torah Temimah (and classical parallel) points to the well-known derashos of “with all your heart / soul / might” — including the teaching that one must love Hashem even with the evil inclination and even to the point of giving up one’s life or wealth (Berachos 54a / 61b and Sifre).

Sefaria — Berachos 54a

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
בְּכׇל־לְבָבְךָ — בִּשְׁנֵי יְצָרֶיךָ, בְּיֵצֶר טוֹב וּבְיֵצֶר הָרָע. וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁךָ — אֲפִלּוּ הוּא נוֹטֵל אֶת נַפְשְׁךָ. וּבְכׇל־מְאֹדֶךָ — בְּכׇל מָמוֹנְךָ.

English: “With all your heart” — with both your inclinations, the good inclination and the evil inclination. “With all your soul” — even if He takes your soul. “With all your might” — with all your wealth.

On the daf / in context: The triple expression is expanded to cover the full range of human faculties and resources that must be oriented toward the love of Hashem.

Type of Learning

Expansive reading of the three phrases of ve’ahavta (both yetzarim / life / wealth).

What Is Learned

Love of Hashem must engage both inclinations, must be prepared to surrender life itself, and must include one’s entire material substance.