חינוך קטן

Thus, there can be applied to this second type of love an expression of charge and command, namely, to devote one’s heart and mind to matters which stimulate love. However, an expression of command and charge is not at all applicable to the first kind of love which is a flame that ascends of its own accord. Furthermore, it is the reward of the tzaddikim to savor of the nature of the World to Come in this world. That is the meaning of the verse, “I will give you the priesthood as a service of gift,”35Numbers 18:7. The priesthood symbolizes the state of Ahavah Rabbah which is granted as a Divine gift to the perfectly righteous. Hence it is within the reach of every Jew and is not limited to those born of the priestly class. Cf. Maimonides, Hilchot Shemitah veYovel 11:13. as will be explained in its proper place.36See Likkutei Amarim, Part I, chs. 14, 43; Iggeret Hakodesh, Epistle 18.