Does God Really Love Us? Understanding Divine Love Beyond Human Emotions

Dor asks: “Hi. I’m in a period of spiritual growth and recently began keeping Shabbat. I have a question that troubles me regarding God’s love. To illustrate, I can say that my computer really helps me, but I can’t say I love it, because it has no feelings toward me. The same with the laws of nature. And all the more so with God — He isn’t human, He is beyond emotions. So how can we say that God loves us? Isn’t that anthropomorphism? And if He doesn’t actually need us, how can real love exist between us? I’d be grateful for your help.”

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Shalom and blessings, Dor.

First, let me congratulate you on your spiritual journey!

In the past, some people made the mistake of thinking of God as a cosmic force — powerful but unconscious, without wisdom or understanding. David Hamelech (King David) addressed this error in Tehillim (Psalms 94): “Understand, you senseless among the people … He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? … He who teaches man knowledge, shall He not know?”

The One who created us, without a doubt, understands our thoughts, our inner emotions, and our very soul. He knows you better than you know yourself. He is more of a father to you than any earthly father, because He not only raises you but created you from nothing. He sustains you every moment by His will. He is close to you, guiding you, and He has purpose and intention for your life.

Beyond Anthropomorphism

You are correct that we should not imagine God’s love as identical to human feelings as God doesn’t “feel” as we do. However, comparing Him to machines, computers, or natural forces is also anthropomorphism of a sort. God is beyond any category of nature, logic, or technology.

Still, from the world He created we see proof of His limitless wisdom — a universe of breathtaking design, governed by precise mathematical laws, and a human mind capable of perceiving its Creator.

Just as His wisdom is beyond human comprehension, so too His love is beyond human love. His love is supra-natural, infinite, and perfect.

Love as Evidence of God’s Image

The strongest proof of God’s love is your own capacity to love. Animals act on instinct, but they do not truly love. A mother cat will fight her grown kittens over food without hesitation. Humans, by contrast, can love selflessly, even beyond instinct.

Where does that come from? From the soul God breathed into us. Because you are created in the image of God, you can love Him. Love itself is a divine gift.

This is why God commands, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might” (Devarim 6:5). We are commanded not only to “think about God,” but love Him. He seeks your heart, not only your mind.

A Father’s Love

The Torah even compares God’s relationship with us to that of a loving father: “Know in your heart, that just as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you” (Devarim. 8).
And through the prophet: “I have loved you, says the Lord” (Malachi 1:2).

Even His challenges are out of love, like a parent guiding a child for their own good.

Love Without Conditions

The Sages taught: “Any love that depends on something — when that thing is gone, the love disappears. But love that is not dependent on anything, never ceases” (Pirkei Avot 5:16).

God’s love is not dependent on anything you give Him as He needs nothing from you. That makes His love absolute. He created you only to bestow good upon you. And just as His love is unconditional, so too we are called to love Him without conditions — even if it means giving up our lives, as Rabbi Akiva taught: “With all your soul — even if He takes your soul” (Berachot 61b).

The truest reality in the world is to love and to be loved by God. May you merit to feel God’s love and to return that love in truth.