Hello and blessings,
We continue our wonderful study of Brit Shalom. We are in the third chapter, which focuses on the knowledge of God and the prohibition of idolatry. In paragraph 2, the subject is "The Purpose of Human Life."
What are we living for? What is the ultimate goal of human life?
Here, we bring the words of our great teacher, Rambam (Maimonides), who states that the purpose of human life is to know God.
The Work of Knowing God:
Knowing God is no simple task. It is a lifelong endeavor, one that perhaps requires all of one’s life force and focus, but it is the ultimate goal.
The concept of knowledge encompasses many branches. Among the most significant are two central aspects:
- Fear (awe) of God
- Love of God
Fear of God:
This does not mean fear in the sense of being frightened. It is not desirable for a person to serve God out of fear. Instead, awe refers to a deep respect and recognition of one’s smallness before the infinite. This awareness fills a person with inner reverence, inspiring them to fulfill God’s will.
Love of God:
The love of God includes any action or behavior that brings faith closer to people’s hearts. As the verse states, “You shall love the Lord your God.” The sages interpret this to mean that one must cause others to love God. When people observe your behavior—your actions stemming from your knowledge of and love for God—they should be inspired to join in this love themselves.
Rambam’s Insight on Love and Wisdom:
Rambam emphasizes:
"A person loves the Holy One, Blessed be He, only through knowledge of Him, and the degree of one’s love corresponds to the extent of one’s knowledge. Therefore, a person must delve into wisdom to the best of their ability."
While other religions may view faith and wisdom as opposites—suggesting that one must distance themselves from wisdom to strengthen faith—Judaism teaches otherwise. Wisdom is a divine gift, and a person must use it to come closer to God. There is no conflict between wisdom and faith. On the contrary, the wiser a person becomes, the greater their love for God.
This synthesis of faith and intellect underscores the Jewish approach to serving God—combining reverence, love, and the pursuit of understanding to fulfill the ultimate purpose of life.
