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The Importance of Developing a Meaningful Relationship with Hashem
The Torah’s first four sefarim describe the importance of faith in Hashem and observance of His mitzvot. In Sefer Devarim, Moshe Rabbeinu adds a personal dimension: the need to develop feelings for Hashem and maintain mindfulness of our relationship with Him.
After Moshe facilitated Hashem’s open miracles during Yetziat Mitzraim and their forty-year sojourn in the desert, the Jews were about to enter into Eretz Yisrael – a land and a reality where Hashem would hide His Hand and presence. What kind of relationship would the Jews have with Hashem in this new reality?
To answer this question, Moshe Rabbeinu emphasized the importance of developing and sustaining a meaningful relationship with Hashem – one that includes emotions and captures our consciousness.
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Feelings
Following Moshe’s lead, the Rambam details these feelings as part of his presentation of the Torah’s foundational principles. He first describes the mitzvah to believe in Hashem as the force behind the world’s existence. He then adds the need to fear and love Him.
Based on multiple pesukim in Sefer Devarim, the Rambam teaches that recognition of Hashem’s existence, His role in driving the world, and even reliance upon Him, are insufficient. We need to appreciate Him in a way that inspires awe and love.
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D’veikut/G-d Consciousness
These feelings for and our general consciousness of Hashem must be at the forefront of our minds. The Ramban (Dev. 11:22) derives this from another Sefer Devarim staple – the mitzvah of d’veikut baHashem, a term which translates as “sticking” to Hashem.
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Facilitating Kedusha
The Ramchal agrees with the Ramban’s understanding of the mitzvah and includes it in the Mesilat Yesharim’s chapter about kedusha (26) because he sees d’veikut as part of how we achieve holiness.
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The Way We Walk Before G-d
Taking his lead from the Rambam, Ramban, and Ramchal, the Rema opens his commentary to the Shulchan Aruch by focusing on the centrality of G-d-consciousness. He describes imagining oneself in the presence of G-d as the klal gadol (great principle) of the Torah and the level of the tzaddikim who walk before G-d.
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The Reminders
Objects
Because G-d-consciousness is central to the Torah, it commands us to create and interact with objects that remind us of Him.
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Actions
At the end of his Moreh Nevuchim (3:51), the Rambam speaks about another type of reminder – our actions.
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In the thousands of years since, four other great Moshes (Rambam, Ramban, Ramchal, and Rema) elaborated on the importance of Moshe Rabbeinu’s teachings and how to achieve them. May their words inspire us to seek and sustain a complete, deep, and meaningful relationship with Hashem.