[Avodah] "Be Sure to Cleave so He Won't Leave"

[Cantor Wolberg]

Devarim 13:5  "The Lord your God you shall follow and Him you shall fear; and His commandments you shall observe and to His voice you shall listen; Him you shall serve and to Him you shall cleave."

What are the differences between "following", "fearing", "observing", "listening" to His voice, and "cleaving" to Him? To "follow" is to first accept God as the Authority. To "Fear" is to expect there are consequences for every action. To "observe" is to act upon the mitzvot according to one's teaching. To "listen to His voice" is to study the Oral Law as well as the written. (rw)

The question is asked, how does one cleave to God? The only way a human being can cleave to God is by emulating His ways. Just as He performs kind deeds, so should you; just as He buries the dead, so should you; and just as He visits the sick, so should you (Rashi).

"Man is wise only while in search of wisdom; when he imagines he has attained it, he is a fool."

Ibn Gabirol, Mibhar HaPeninim
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