What was the meaning of greatest commandment?

[healonzo]

What did the author intend when he wrote about the greatest commandment?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Also, anyone know any good sites on exegesis on this commandment? Thanks.

Comments welcome.

 

[meltzerboy]

What did the author intend when he wrote about the greatest commandment?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Also, anyone know any good sites on exegesis on this commandment? Thanks.

Comments welcome.

This is the Shema, which proclaims the Unity of G-d. Certain Christian scholars interpret this verse as a declaration of a Trinitarian G-d; however Jewish scholars strongly disagree with this interpretation. The passage also speaks of phylacteries (tefillin), which contain Torah passages and which pious Jews put on for early morning prayer. They cover the head (mind), heart, and hand as a symbolic gesture of one’s love for G-d with all one’s mind, heart, and might. In addition, there is mention in Deuteronomy 6 of the mezuzah (literally, door-post) which is affixed to the door-post of a Jewish home and contains the Torah scroll in miniature. It is a symbol of Jewish identity and faith and hearkens back to the lamb’s blood of the Exodus, during which the Angel of Death passed over Jewish homes. Pious Jews also attach a mezuzah to the door-post of each room within their home, except the bathroom. I believe Karaite Jews do not follow this custom.

 

[fhansen]

What did the author intend when he wrote about the greatest commandment?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Also, anyone know any good sites on exegesis on this commandment? Thanks.

Comments welcome.

I think it’s pretty simple, actually. I believe he meant it the same way Jesus meant it-this is mans’ justice, the way he was created to be, what makes him right in the eyes of God. And in this disposition or virtue, there is no sin-sin is excluded. If Adam & Eve had this love towards God they could not have sinned. Therefore obedience to this command is humankinds’ purpose and goal…

 

[JRKH]

What did the author intend when he wrote about the greatest commandment?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Also, anyone know any good sites on exegesis on this commandment? Thanks.

Comments welcome.

I’m not sure what the question is. The Author intended for us to Love the Lord our God with our whole self. Is there something more specific??

Peace
James

 

[healonzo]

I’m not sure what the question is. The Author intended for us to Love the Lord our God with our whole self. Is there something more specific??

Peace
James

I think you answered the question quite clearly. My question was not specific, just wanted a general view of what people thought of the verses.

Peace
healonzo

 

[healonzo]

Therefore obedience to this command is humankinds’ purpose and goal…

Are you saying we exist just to obey this command or to obey this command is fulfilling our purpose?

If Adam & Eve had this love towards God they could not have sinned.

Are you saying Adam and Eve never loved God?

Also, do you think the author intended for the readers to understand this as a commandment the is an end-all type of commandment?

 

[healonzo]

This is the Shema,

Thank you for the info about the Shema. Does the Shema supersede the 10 commandments or is it equal to the 10 commandments, or is it part of the first commandment as I’ve read (in the Jewish tradition)?

Peace
healonzo

 

[fhansen]

Are you saying we exist just to obey this command or to obey this command is fulfilling our purpose?

All Gods commands are positive-as in beneficial. I’m saying that this is Gods greatest commandment for man because in this man finds his wholeness/integrity and his happiness. Love is the highest good.

Are you saying Adam and Eve never loved God?

Apparently they hadn’t grown into that yet. They effectively rejected Him as their God by rejecting His authority. The Catechism states that trust died in mans heart at the fall. In any case, he lost whatever faith, hope, and charity he may’ve been given and, IMO, hadn’t yet learned to choose love, to appreciate it in all its goodness and splendor. If they truly loved God, would’ve they disobeyed Him?

Also, do you think the author intended for the readers to understand this as a commandment the is an end-all type of commandment?

The writer may not have-although He could’ve recognized the power and importance of his words. In any case he was at least inspired to write what he did by the One who knows the value of love and its importance for us.

 

[meltzerboy]

Thank you for the info about the Shema. Does the Shema supersede the 10 commandments or is it equal to the 10 commandments, or is it part of the first commandment as I’ve read (in the Jewish tradition)?

Peace
healonzo

The Shema does not supersede the other commandments. Rather, it incorporates them, for the love of G-d also means the love of His creation, human and otherwise. It is taught by Jewish parents to their young children, recited twice daily during morning and evening prayers, as well as before bedtime, and constitutes the final words of a dying Jewish person. If an individual should die immediately after saying the Shema, this is regarded as a special blessing.

 

[healonzo]

All Gods commands are positive-as in beneficial. I’m saying that this is Gods greatest commandment for man because in this man finds his wholeness/integrity and his happiness. Love is the highest good.

Good!

they hadn’t grown into that yet. They effectively rejected Him as their God by rejecting His authority. The Catechism states that trust died in mans heart at the fall. In any case, he lost whatever faith, hope, and charity he may’ve been given and, IMO, hadn’t yet learned to choose love, to appreciate it in all its goodness and splendor. If they truly loved God, would’ve they disobeyed Him?

Love existed in the beginning. CCC uses many responses about the why of creation? love
Fall is a different matter. They still became one flesh after the fall also (procreatively). Still, I haven’t read any references of this commandment with Genesis in commentaries, dictionaries, etc. But I’ll keep reading.

writer may not have-although He could’ve recognized the power and importance of his words. In any case he was at least inspired to write what he did by the One who knows the value of love and its importance for us.

Agreed!

 

[fhansen]

Love existed in the beginning. CCC uses many responses about the why of creation?
love Fall is a different matter. They still became one flesh after the fall also (procreatively). Still, I haven’t read any references of this commandment with Genesis in commentaries, dictionaries, etc. But I’ll keep reading.

Yes, love existed in the beginning-it’s foundational to the universe, to paraphrase Pope Benedict in one of his many writings. But all sin is reflective of a lack of love for God and/or neighbor in some way or another so man certainly lacks that virtue to the extent that it would fulfill himself and the commandments God gave him in regard to it.

 

[jochoa]

What did the author intend when he wrote about the greatest commandment?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Also, anyone know any good sites on exegesis on this commandment? Thanks.

Comments welcome.

You have asked the Greatest Question, my Friend! For if we can gain the complete understanding of this Commandment, we will have the Foundation for All Wisdom!

And since Jesus expanded on the Greatest Commandment, with the Greatest Commandments, I would like to offer an understanding of Mark 24:29-31.

Personal Interpretation: “The Holy Trinity is One. Always be Patient and Kind and Motivated for God with All your Body, Soul, Mind, and Will towards Others and Yourself.”

Reflection on Intention

• To share the Greatest Philosophy of Achieving Peace and Happiness and Energy.
• To share the insight necessary to Understand the Being of Human.
• To share the insight necessary to Understand the Holy Trinity.
• To share the Method of Becoming One with God’s Love.
• To Gracefully provide the Foundation for All Wisdom.

Reflection on The Blessings
Peace is the State of Contentment. When one lives accordingly, the lowest state of being is Peace. Peace in Life is set by the Quality of Patience. Perfect Patience cannot lose Peace.
Happiness is all-inclusive of the States ranging from slightly greater than Peace to Absolute Joy and Rejoicing. Happiness is set by the Quality of Kindness. Perfect Kindness cannot lose Happiness.
Energy refers to turning Potential Energy into Actual Energy. Since the Soul is Immaterial, it has All the Potential Energy necessary to be ever-lasting. Actual Energy is set by the Quality of Motivation. Perfect Motivation cannot lose Actual Energy.

Reflection on The Being of Human (Heart, Mind, Will, and Soul)
These aspects of being represent, respectively, parts of the body, various thoughts, various interactions, and the essence of self. Each component of being is distinct and separate, yet necessary to complete the being. Every part of the body, instance of thought, and instance of interaction is exactly of the soul of self and help form the soul. The Greatest State of Being is when all distinct components work together in Complete Unity in True Love.

Reflection on The Holy Trinity
The Creator’s (The Father) Soul looks like Humans, thinks like Humans, Wills like Humans. Since He has All the necessary components of Being, He is a Distinct Person. His Being is Distinct from All Other beings in that He is Perfection. All others can only achieve Perfection.
The Creator used His Being to Lead Man to His State of Being, therefore His Being became Flesh.
His Mind becoming Flesh is Everything that Happens.
His Body becoming Flesh is Jesus Christ the Son of God. He is a Distinct Person with Body, Mind, Will, and Soul.
His Will becoming Flesh is the Holy Spirit. He is a Distinct Person with Body, Mind, Will, and Soul.
Therefore, the Holy Trinity is Three Distinct Persons, who are One God.

Reflection on the Order of the Components of True Love
Patience is stated first because Peace is the Foundation. Peace is the best foundation for all relationships of Being and is the first to be perceived as lacking.
Kindness is stated second because Happiness is the Growth of Relationships. Happiness is the second to be perceived as lacking.
Motivation is stated third because the Actual Energy required to always be Patient and Kind becomes apparent during struggles.
Purifying the Body is first because the Body is the best indicator of Blessings for the self.
Purifying the Essence is second because when one becomes in tune to listening to the Body and to the Essence, the Mind and Will can learn, follow, and become One with the Body and Essence.
Purifying the Mind is third because the Mind knows Vast amounts of Information, both Good and Bad. One must learn to discern the Righteous from the Unrighteous.
Purifying the Will is fourth because this is the Perfection of Living in a Society. The Will proceeds from the Body and the Mind.
Towards Others is stated prior to the Self because in order to Achieve the Greatest Personal Peace, Happiness, and Energy, one must Selflessly give his/herself completely to Others. It is when others desire to share Kindness towards the Self, that the Self experiences Awesomeness beyond Comprehension!

Thank you Greatly for the Thought-Provoking Question! I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

[healonzo]

Yes, love existed in the beginning-it’s foundational to the universe, to paraphrase Pope Benedict in one of his many writings. But all sin is reflective of a lack of love for God and/or neighbor in some way or another so man certainly lacks that virtue to the extent that it would fulfill himself and the commandments God gave him in regard to it.

I see, so regardless of the connection with the verses, you are saying it is impossible to love God and sin at the same time?

 

[healonzo]

You have asked the Greatest Question, my Friend! For if we can gain the complete understanding of this Commandment, we will have the Foundation for All Wisdom!

Indeed my friend. It is a deep question (in my opinion).

since Jesus expanded on the Greatest Commandment, with the Greatest Commandments, I would like to offer an understanding of Mark 24:29-31.

Alright, maybe now this thread will get interesting. I was hoping someone might reference this.
An expansion of my original question is this: Is the greatest commandment inseparable with the next greatest commandment?
Also, does every religion have a ‘Golden Rule’?
Are we bound to love our neighbors like ‘Osama Bin Laden’ and in what context?

Interpretation: “The Holy Trinity is One. Always be Patient and Kind and Motivated for God with All your Body, Soul, Mind, and Will towards Others and Yourself.”

Nice. I was thinking along the same lines but my only concern is the reference to the Holy Trinity as being One (according to the author). I am praying about it, but I need to pray more. Do you have any references that point to the Holy Trinity for Deuteronomy 6:4-9?
Thanks.

Reflection on Intention

• To share the Greatest Philosophy of Achieving Peace and Happiness and Energy.
• To share the insight necessary to Understand the Being of Human.
• To share the insight necessary to Understand the Holy Trinity.
• To share the Method of Becoming One with God’s Love.
• To Gracefully provide the Foundation for All Wisdom.

Reflection on The Blessings
Peace is the State of Contentment. When one lives accordingly, the lowest state of being is Peace. Peace in Life is set by the Quality of Patience. Perfect Patience cannot lose Peace.
Happiness is all-inclusive of the States ranging from slightly greater than Peace to Absolute Joy and Rejoicing. Happiness is set by the Quality of Kindness. Perfect Kindness cannot lose Happiness.
Energy refers to turning Potential Energy into Actual Energy. Since the Soul is Immaterial, it has All the Potential Energy necessary to be ever-lasting. Actual Energy is set by the Quality of Motivation. Perfect Motivation cannot lose Actual Energy.

Reflection on The Being of Human (Heart, Mind, Will, and Soul)
These aspects of being represent, respectively, parts of the body, various thoughts, various interactions, and the essence of self. Each component of being is distinct and separate, yet necessary to complete the being. Every part of the body, instance of thought, and instance of interaction is exactly of the soul of self and help form the soul. The Greatest State of Being is when all distinct components work together in Complete Unity in True Love.

Reflection on The Holy Trinity
The Creator’s (The Father) Soul looks like Humans, thinks like Humans, Wills like Humans. Since He has All the necessary components of Being, He is a Distinct Person. His Being is Distinct from All Other beings in that He is Perfection. All others can only achieve Perfection.
The Creator used His Being to Lead Man to His State of Being, therefore His Being became Flesh.
His Mind becoming Flesh is Everything that Happens.
His Body becoming Flesh is Jesus Christ the Son of God. He is a Distinct Person with Body, Mind, Will, and Soul.
His Will becoming Flesh is the Holy Spirit. He is a Distinct Person with Body, Mind, Will, and Soul.
Therefore, the Holy Trinity is Three Distinct Persons, who are One God.

Reflection on the Order of the Components of True Love
Patience is stated first because Peace is the Foundation. Peace is the best foundation for all relationships of Being and is the first to be perceived as lacking.
Kindness is stated second because Happiness is the Growth of Relationships. Happiness is the second to be perceived as lacking.
Motivation is stated third because the Actual Energy required to always be Patient and Kind becomes apparent during struggles.
Purifying the Body is first because the Body is the best indicator of Blessings for the self.
Purifying the Essence is second because when one becomes in tune to listening to the Body and to the Essence, the Mind and Will can learn, follow, and become One with the Body and Essence.
Purifying the Mind is third because the Mind knows Vast amounts of Information, both Good and Bad. One must learn to discern the Righteous from the Unrighteous.
Purifying the Will is fourth because this is the Perfection of Living in a Society. The Will proceeds from the Body and the Mind.
Towards Others is stated prior to the Self because in order to Achieve the Greatest Personal Peace, Happiness, and Energy, one must Selflessly give his/herself completely to Others. It is when others desire to share Kindness towards the Self, that the Self experiences Awesomeness beyond Comprehension!

Thank you Greatly for the Thought-Provoking Question! I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

This is a lot to digest. I need to pray more about it before I respond. But thank you so much for the insight. God Bless!

 

[jochoa]

An expansion of my original question is this: Is the greatest commandment inseparable with the next greatest commandment?

I Think…Yes. The Greatest Commandment and the Greatest Commandments are Inseparable. Jesus was also stating His Alignment with Jewish Law.

Also, does every religion have a ‘Golden Rule’?

Please note, that this Commandment(s) is Absolute. The question becomes: Does One, personally, want the Greatest Peace, Happiness, AND Energy? If so, then they will have to learn to follow The Greatest Commandments as Jesus Did.

Are we bound to love our neighbors like ‘Osama Bin Laden’ and in what context?

I think the question has too many variables. Who are “We”? Ex. Catholics, Americans, Europeans, Mexicans, etc. What is the level of relationship between “Osama” and each one of Us? Perhaps the question should be limited to “I” or “You”. And if you are seeking to understand the means and balance of patience and kindness shown towards “Osama,” perhaps offer a relationship to consider the context (Grandparent, Parent, Wife, Sibling, Child, Follower, Victim of his Actions, Victim’s Family Member, Neighbor down the Road, Neighbor on the other side of the Planet that Never has any interactions with him).

I will finish later…ran out of time! Thanks for your thoughts and considerations!

 

[fhansen]

I see, so regardless of the connection with the verses, you are saying it is impossible to love God and sin at the same time?

Catholic teaching tells us that mortal sin destroys love in ones heart-it’s an act against love, so to speak. Lesser (venial) sins don’t necessarily do so but tend in that direction.
The original sin was the grand-daddy of mortal sins, IMO, and that’s why it resulted in death. So, to answer your question, the original sin destroyed not only love but even* faith* in God-and this is what the reconciliation won at Calvary is said to restore in us. With sanctifying grace comes the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. The Law, given earlier in mans history, could not accomplish this justification-it only served in the end to show us what a just person would “look like”, and what we failed to look like by contrast.

 

[jochoa]

Do you have any references that point to the Holy Trinity for Deuteronomy 6:4-9?
Thanks.

Deuteronomy 6:4
“The Lord our God is One.”
I think - If there is no reference to multiple persons, stating, “The Lord our God…” would be redundant and purposeless considering, “Our God is One” would be sufficient. Therefore, the purpose in stating, “The Lord,” is to direct the interpreter to find alignment in the Bible of another person called Lord.

Deuteronomy 4:35
“…the Lord is God.”
Zechariah 14:9
“…the Lord will be king…on that day, the Lord will be one…”
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
1 Kings 8:60
“…the Lord is God, there is no other.”
Deuteronomy 4:39
“…the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth beneath…”
1 Corinthians 1:3
“…and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
John 10:30
“I and the Father are One.”
Genesis 1:26
“…in our image, after our likeness”
Matthew 28:19
“…in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

[healonzo]

Deuteronomy 6:4
“The Lord our God is One.”
I think - If there is no reference to multiple persons, stating, “The Lord our God…” would be redundant and purposeless considering, “Our God is One” would be sufficient. Therefore, the purpose in stating, “The Lord,” is to direct the interpreter to find alignment in the Bible of another person called Lord.

Deuteronomy 4:35
“…the Lord is God.”
Zechariah 14:9
“…the Lord will be king…on that day, the Lord will be one…”
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
1 Kings 8:60
“…the Lord is God, there is no other.”
Deuteronomy 4:39
“…the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth beneath…”
1 Corinthians 1:3
“…and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
John 10:30
“I and the Father are One.”
Genesis 1:26
“…in our image, after our likeness”
Matthew 28:19
“…in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

How could I be so dense? lol. I like the idea. Good point. I apologize for taking so long. I am in the midst of taking a final exam and writing an exegesis. I’ll try to post after I finish the exam and paper. Good point though. Thanks for your understanding and patience. I’m learning a lot by reading the posts in this forum.

 

[healonzo]

Catholic teaching tells us that mortal sin destroys love in ones heart-it’s an act against love, so to speak. Lesser (venial) sins don’t necessarily do so but tend in that direction.
The original sin was the grand-daddy of mortal sins, IMO, and that’s why it resulted in death. So, to answer your question, the original sin destroyed not only love but even* faith* in God-and this is what the reconciliation won at Calvary is said to restore in us. With sanctifying grace comes the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. The Law, given earlier in mans history, could not accomplish this justification-it only served in the end to show us what a just person would “look like”, and what we failed to look like by contrast.

Good point. I have a couple of comments.

1. The law was given by God and written on every person’s heart.
2. The Fall points to our own nature more than just a mortal sin.
3. Understanding salvation and justification from the author’s point of view is different than it is today. The Holy Spirit is the sanctifier, and the One speaking through the prophets, and has an important role to play in grace and love (back then and now).

 

[PJM]

What did the author intend when he wrote about the greatest commandment?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Also, anyone know any good sites on exegesis on this commandment? Thanks.

Comments welcome.

**Deut.6: 4 to 9 **“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD; and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

**John.13: 34 **“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” **1John.2: 7 **“Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.” 8 “Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.”

The necessary foundational understanding these is found in Isaiah 43: verses 7 and 21… “every one who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." AND the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”

It is because ONLY humaity was created out of Gods OWN “want.” And ONLY humaity can love; and therefore is gravely bound to “know, love, and COMPLETELY serve God.” God offers sufficient grace to everyone to enable ALL to freely choose to know and to do this. **BUT Matt.7: 1-14 **“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few”.

Because humanity alone is CREATED for this precise possibility; one that nears perfection in that it MUST be a freewill choice.

God Bless,
Pat