Explore the Jewish Concept of Love

Did you know that one of the world's most famous lines about love comes from the Hebrew Bible?

Judaism has always prioritized and defined love as one of the most important qualities for humans to foster and develop, and a key backbone of ideal human interaction and society.

This can be particularly summed up with the renowned commandment "Love Your Neighbor As Yourself," from the Hebrew verse in Leviticus 19:18, sometimes also translated as "Love Your Fellow As Yourself."

The verse is an instruction to the Jewish people from God, as a backbone and model for a God-loving society - one in which humans also love, cherish, and honor each other.

The famous Jewish sage Hillel the Elder, whose teachings have been compiled in the Talmud, expounded on the idea of love of fellow man and considered it to be the most important Jewish teaching. In a famous instance, when a potential convert asks him to explain the Torah briefly enough to be digested while standing on one foot, Hillel responds:

"That which is hateful to you, do not do unto your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary [or explanation]; go and learn."

The Love Between God & the Jewish People

Another important aspect of Judaism is the love between God and the Jewish people.

The Hebrew Bible, as well as Jewish prayers and other texts, routinely speak of the love that God has for the Jewish people, while exhorting them to love God back with all their hearts.

The Divine love for God's people is also meant as an example to teach us to love one another as well.

Jewish tradition is also surprisingly romantic, with lots to say about the special bonds between spouses and other romantic partners.

Jewish texts are full of compelling love stories and exemplary romantic couples. Abraham and Sarah teach us about a lifetime of devotion, while Jacob and Rachel show a story of love, patience, and working hard for one's love. Ruth and Boaz, meanwhile, are a tale of loyalty and kindness that leads to a beautiful union.

Some famous romantic Jewish passages include the Biblical Song of Songs, famously describing romantic love, as well as the "Woman of Valor" hymn in the Book of Proverbs, which exalts and celebrates Jewish women as devoted partners.

Judaism celebrates romantic couplings as an important aspect of life, and teaches us to honor and love our partners with endless devotion.

Top Love Quotes from Jewish Texts

A couple as two halves of one whole:

• "It is not good for man to be alone" – Genesis 2:18
• "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cling to his wife and they shall become one flesh" – Genesis 2:26

Unconditional love:

• "Any love that depends on a specific cause, when that cause is gone, the love is gone; but if it does not depend on a specific cause, it will never cease" – Talmud, Pirkei Avot 5:19

Expressions of romance:

• "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine" – Song of Songs 2:16
• "Many waters could not extinguish the love, neither can the rivers wash it away" – Song of Songs 8:7
• "Who can find a woman of valor? Her value is far beyond pearls" – Proverbs 31:10

Love as a gift from God:

• "One who has found a wife has found goodness, and has brought forth favor from God" – Proverbs 18:22

Read more Jewish love quotes in our older post here!

And check out more love-themed content with our posts on the top Jewish love symbols and our favorite romantic couples in the Bible, as well as our top 14 ideas for romantic gifts by Israeli artists.

Don't forget to celebrate your own beloved with special romantic jewelry and other love-themed gifts from Israel!