V'ahavta
Deuteronomy 6:5 — what immediately follows the Shema. Jesus called this the greatest commandment.
Deuteronomy 6:5
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Smooth English
"And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might."
לְבָבְךָ — your heart
In Hebrew, lev isn't just emotion — it's the seat of will, thought, and decision. To love God "with all your heart" includes your mind making up its mind.
נַפְשְׁךָ — your soul
Nefesh means "life," "breath," "self." Tradition reads "with all your soul" as even if it costs your life.
מְאֹדֶךָ — your might
M'od is the word usually translated "very." Here it's a noun: "your very-much-ness" — your resources, your money, your full intensity.