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The 20th-century Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler is frequently quoted as defining love from the Jewish point of view as "giving without expecting to take" (from his ''Michtav me-Eliyahu'', Vol. 1). Romantic love per se has few echoes in Jewish literature, although the Medieval Rabbi Judah Halevi wrote romantic poetry in Arabic in his younger years (he appears to have regretted this later).

The 20th-century Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler is frequently quoted as defining love from the Jewish point of view as "giving without expecting to take" (from his ''Michtav me-Eliyahu'', Vol. 1). Romantic love per se has few echoes in Jewish literature, although the Medieval Rabbi Judah Halevi wrote romantic poetry in Arabic in his younger years (he appears to have regretted this later).

==Quote==

==Quote==

As we mature in our [[spiritual]] progression, as we move from mortal understanding to [[morontia]]l mota and gain greater [[insight]]s, we are also learning that the [[word]] love denotes an ever-greater and expanding [[reality]] approaching cosmic manifestation. Indeed, we are beginning to understand that love is more a matter of the will than it is a matter of feelings. It is possible for us to choose to love. Our mortal flesh follows suit then with feelings that we would ordinarily call [[affection]].

As we mature in our [[spiritual]] progression, as we move from mortal understanding to [[morontia]]l mota and gain greater [[insight]]s, we are also learning that the [[word]] love denotes an ever-greater and expanding [[reality]] approaching cosmic manifestation. Indeed, we are beginning to understand that love is more a matter of the [[will]] than it is a matter of [[feeling]]s. It is possible for us to choose to love. Our mortal flesh follows suit then with feelings that we would ordinarily call [[affection]].

Love is an attitude, an [[intention]] of service toward our brothers and sisters. Love is the desire to do good to others, and when it is wholly sincere, it will result in actions. You see, if love was based upon feelings, it would be limited only to those we feel comfortable with and whom we approve of. When our Master entreated us to love our enemies, he transcended the realm of feeling in terms of a door of entrance. If we are commanded to love our enemies and love were based upon our feelings, this would be absurd and impossible, but we are indeed enjoined to love our enemies, therefore logically and truly, this love is not ultimately or even initially a matter of warm, fuzzy feelings. To love our enemies is to be [[God]]-like and to recognize that the status of 'enemy' is in large part a [[perception|perceptive]] category. The reality of that other person is, in almost all cases, really as another son or daughter of God.

Love is an attitude, an [[intention]] of service toward our brothers and sisters. Love is the desire to do good to others, and when it is wholly sincere, it will result in actions. You see, if love was based upon feelings, it would be limited only to those we feel comfortable with and whom we approve of. When our Master entreated us to love our enemies, he transcended the realm of feeling in terms of a door of entrance. If we are commanded to love our enemies and love were based upon our feelings, this would be absurd and impossible, but we are indeed enjoined to love our enemies, therefore logically and truly, this love is not ultimately or even initially a matter of warm, fuzzy feelings. To love our enemies is to be [[God]]-like and to recognize that the status of 'enemy' is in large part a [[perception|perceptive]] category. The reality of that other person is, in almost all cases, really as another son or daughter of God.

[[Knowledge]] is constantly expanding, and that which is superseded falls away like scaffolding. Our expectations for the future are imperfect and will be fulfilled in ways greater than we can [[imagination|imagine]], but love remains the staple, the foundation, the quest, and the eternal prize. ([[Ham]])

[[Knowledge]] is constantly expanding, and that which is superseded falls away like scaffolding. Our expectations for the future are imperfect and will be fulfilled in ways greater than we can [[imagination|imagine]], but love remains the staple, the foundation, the quest, and the eternal prize. ([[Ham]])

==References==

==References==

# Oxford Illustrated American Dictionary (1998) + Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (2000)

# Oxford Illustrated American Dictionary (1998) + Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (2000)