King James Bible
"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
This command forms the core of Jewish faith, known as part of the Shema, Israel's central confession. The imperative "thou shalt" makes loving God not merely an emotion but a covenant obligation, establishing the fundamental relationship between Israel and their redeemer. In Hebrew thought, the heart (leb) represents the center of will, thought, and emotion—not just feelings. This demands that every decision, desire, and intention be oriented toward God. The soul (nephesh) encompasses one's entire life force and being. This intensifies the command beyond mental allegiance to include one's very essence and vitality devoted to God. This final dimension (meod) refers to one's strength, resources, and capacity—everything within one's power. The threefold repetition creates a comprehensive claim on every aspect of human existence, leaving no reserved territory.