The Shema and the covenant

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 are very well-known verses to Jews. It is a prayer that is often cited on various occasions, similar to the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 for Christians. It is called "the Shema" after the first word of the prayer, which is translated into "hear"

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

When Christ was asked what is the greatest commandment, he quoted the Shema. 

I find it interesting how words can have slightly different meanings in different languages. For instance, the word "love" is typically translated into "elske" in my language, Norwegian. But it's not a 100% match. The Norwegian word is a bit more intimate and it would usually be strange or awkward to use it about a friend, for instance, whereas in English speaking countries, it is quite ok to love a friend. Learning the meaning of the original language of the scriptures can therefore be quite eye-opening, as they might also have slightly different meanings. So how would an ancient Israelite understand the word, ahava (אהבה), that has been translated into love in verse 5?

Just like the English word, it signifies a close emotional bond. But the English word is more related to feelings, while the Hebrew word is more related to action and commitment. Especially when there is talk about love between God and man in the Old Testament, it is an indication of a close covenant relationship based on commitment and obedience. The Book of Deuteronomy is full of covenant language and lays out the terms of the covenant between the God of Israel and his people. The Shema is the heart of this covenant. Moroni understood this when he quoted part of the Shema in Moroni 10:31-33

31 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.
32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

Even though the Law of Moses was fulfilled, loving God with a "Hebrew" love is still an important part of the new and everlasting covenant.

Ahava comes from the Hebrew root, hav, which means to give. As stated on this website:

True ahava, true love, is more concerned about giving than receiving.  Being the center of someone's attention isn't love.  And love isn't about getting some feeling or fix.  Ahava is about giving devotion and time.  Giving is the vehicle of love. YHWH so loved the world that He GAVE His only Son.  Meaningful relationships have mutual giving.  Love may focus on receiving, but ahava is all about giving.  There is a difference.  Consider that the Hebrew word "ahava" is not an emotion but an action.  It is not something that happens "to you" but a condition that you create when you give.  You don't "fall" in love - you give love!