The Music and Texts of Rabbi Josh Warshawsky: V'Ahavta

Listen to the song below and try and focus on the words. As you listen, take note of how the song makes you feel with its tone, rhythm, and chords. Discuss the song with a partner for a few minutes before starting the texts below.

Each of the texts below are quoted in the song. Included here are the full versions of the verses or the texts. Do you think the meaning of the song is changed when you see the entire text in context? As you read and discuss each of the following texts with your partner, start to answer these questions.

ויקרא י״ט:י״ח

לֹֽא־תִקֹּ֤ם וְלֹֽא־תִטֹּר֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֔ךָ וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֽה׃

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take revenge or bear a grudge against your people. Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

1. What does it mean to "take revenge" or "bear a grudge" against someone? Why would the Torah tell us not to do it? Use a dictionary if you're not sure what the phrases mean.
2. How do you think you can "love your neighbor as yourself?" How would you explain that to someone else?
3. God signs the end of the verse with "I am the Lord" to show that God is super-serious about this rule. Do you think it's necessary for God to emphasize this rule, or does it stand on its own without the emphasis?

משנה אבות א׳:י״ד

הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, אִם אֵין אֲנִי לִי, מִי לִי. וּכְשֶׁאֲנִי לְעַצְמִי, מָה אֲנִי. וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתָי:

Pirkei Avot 1:14

Hillel used to say: If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?

4. Think of a time when you had to be "for yourself." Was it challenging? Was it easy? How come?
5. Do you think it's easier for other people to support you when you're confident, or when you're not so confident? Explain your answer.
6. What do you think Hillel is asking when he says, "What am I" if he is only for himself?

סידור אשכנז, ימי חול, תפילת שחרית, ברכות קריאת שמע, שמע ג׳

וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת ה' אֱלהֶיךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל מְאדֶךָ: וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּום עַל לְבָבֶךָ: וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְקוּמֶךָ: וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאות עַל יָדֶךָ וְהָיוּ לְטטָפת בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ: וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזֻזות בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ:

Siddur Ashkenaz, Weekday, Shacharit, Blessings of the Shema, Shema 3

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you on this day shall be in your heart. You shall teach them carefully to your children, saying these words when you return home and when you go on a journey, when you go to sleep and when you arise. And you shall tie them as a sign upon your arm and they shall be a reminder between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your houses and your gates.

7. In the song, Rabbi Warshawsky focuses on "with all your heart," "with all your soul," and "with all your might." What do you think each of these things might represent? (No wrong answers - get creative.)
8. We're commanded to love God. Do you think you can be commanded into love?
9. Why do you think these words specifically are what we should keep as a sign in our mezuzot and tefillin? What makes these words different from any other verses in the Torah?