Q&A: "Love for Its Own Sake"
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
"Love for Its Own Sake"
Question
Hello Rabbi Michi,
Do you think it can be said that there is value in love for the sake of love itself (similar to "Torah for its own sake")? That is: to love my wife in order to realize the value of love, to love my children and friends in order to realize the value of love.
Have a good week.
Answer
I don't know. Simply speaking, if you love, then you love, and if not, then not. If you can, then of course it is worthwhile to cultivate love in order to ground the family unit on sounder foundations. But that is a "preparation for a commandment," not a value. In general, I do not think there is value in emotions.