Professor Deena Grant’s article, How to Love God: Deuteronomy, Early Rabbinic Literature, and Gospel Texts, was published in the March 20 issues of the Journal of Interreligious Studies.

In her summary of the article, Professor Grant says:

The command to love God in Deuteronomy 6:5 poses a puzzle. The verse demands love, but does not explain how to achieve it. Comparing Deuteronomy’s covenant structure to other ancient Near Eastern covenant treaties, modern scholars conclude that Deuteronomy 6:5 charges Israel to perform acts of love. And yet, scholars also suggest that God’s passionate love for Israel demands a reciprocal emotional response from them. In attempts to elucidate Deuteronomy’s command, both the rabbis of the first few centuries of the Common Era and the Gospels single out specific actions that constitute loving God. However, the sources diverge with regard to which actions they highlight.  Significantly, Deuteronomy, the early rabbis, and the Gospels all hint that God’s own love for His people is the model of love toward which devotees should aspire.

To download the full article, click on this link.

Congratulations to Professor Grant on this publication!