I once had a Hebrew professor state with absolute determination that "Ahavah" (the Hebrew word for "love") does not, in fact, mean love. His proof was twofold: 1. G-d could not have commanded us to "love" Him. Love is an emotion and cannot be controlled in that way. 2. A person can deeply love his or her spouse but be unfaithful.
He insisted, rather, that the word means faithfulness. When we are commanded "VeAhavta Eth HaShem Elokeicha", the commandment is not one of how we are obligated to feel, but one of how we are obligated to act - we are obligated to be faithful.
Is there any source for this idea? If so, why do we always translate "Ahavah" as "love"?
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