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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).

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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 [[volition|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]].

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 [[volition|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 [[transcend]]ed 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 [[logic]]ally 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.

If our enemy should not be of normal [[mind]] then this is a different situation, and in that case these words do not apply. The matter of discernment as to whether another person whom we might term 'enemy' is in [[fact]] a [[faith]] son or daughter is not something that we can easily decide. Therefore it is recommended that we take the default position that this is so that our 'enemy' is in fact a brother or sister of the same Parents and worthy of love as we are kin. When we love an 'enemy', we think to ourselves, what good could I desire for this other person? What could I pray for, wish for, and even possibly help effect that would be in the best interest of this, my 'enemy'? To love another then is a matter of [[intention]], a matter of attitude.

If our enemy should not be of normal [[mind]] then this is a different situation, and in that case these words do not apply. The matter of discernment as to whether another person whom we might term 'enemy' is in [[fact]] a [[faith]] son or daughter is not something that we can easily decide. Therefore it is recommended that we take the default position that this is so that our 'enemy' is in [[fact]] a brother or sister of the same Parents and worthy of love as we are kin. When we love an 'enemy', we think to ourselves, what good could I desire for this other [[person]]? What could I pray for, wish for, and even possibly help effect that would be in the best interest of this, my 'enemy'? To love another then is a matter of [[intention]], a matter of attitude.

Love takes no account of worthiness before the bar of judgmental [[human]] [[nature]]. Love is patient and kind. It is not paranoid. It does not imagine [[evil]] about other people but always expects the best, and as Paul so beautifully stated, love never fails. Love is the attitude of God. It is the essence of God's nature. It was out of God's loving [[heart]] that he decided to create the worlds of [[time]] and [[space]] because he desired to share his nature, his existence, his joy, with other [[personality|personalities]]. Love begets love. It creates new opportunities. Love rejoices in diversity and in the expansion of reality. Love is never self-centered, never scraping, stingy, rude or abrupt. Love expands to embrace all others therefore love is the greatest thing, the greatest reality in the [[universe]].

Love takes no account of worthiness before the bar of [[judgment]]al [[human]] [[nature]]. Love is patient and kind. It is not paranoid. It does not [[imagine]] [[evil]] about other people but always expects the best, and as Paul so beautifully stated, love never fails. Love is the attitude of [[God]]. It is the [[essence]] of God's nature. It was out of God's loving [[heart]] that he decided to create the worlds of [[time]] and [[space]] because he desired to share his nature, his [[existence]], his joy, with other [[personality|personalities]]. Love begets love. It creates new opportunities. Love rejoices in diversity and in the expansion of reality. Love is never self-centered, never scraping, stingy, rude or abrupt. Love expands to embrace all others therefore love is the greatest [[thing]], the greatest reality in the [[universe]].

[[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]])

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