Talking to some local Jewish friends (I love conversations with my many Jewish friends–always a blessing within!) today about the Shema, their twice daily prayer; and one friend asked me, what was Jesus’ hardest question… i love questions like that! Plus, these friends are very special to me, as we share the same Spirit. Well…from within His own religion, i think….

The teachers asked Him, what are the most important commands of God from a jewish perspective? He answered, The Shema, which He quoted in full;, and then- love your neighbor as yourself, in that order, He answered (Matthew 12)—i.e. Love God with your entire being, and then, as a result love others as more important than yourself.

That’s about as clear as it gets to at least what those following Christ would try to live out! Love God intensely, love others—pretty simple spiritual map, but of course, hard to live out well!

Simple clear crystallization of 613 commandments. I think it’s still a good answer to a hard question-what matters most to God, what is the essential ground of all Being, in terms of how we should actually live? Can you reduce our religion into two commands—why yes He can! And did.

By extension, can we at least live those two mitzphahs (laws, rules..)?! There’s only One God, love Him with all your might and being (soul, spirit and physical body!); then you will find yourselves loving others more than yourself! Still love that path, and His answer to the best teachers of His day! Jesus is stunning!

Jesus is still impressive even just as a teacher, much less as Friend who is God breaking in, as they say! “He is writing those laws inside of us!” as a friend put Jeremiah 33 about the law being written on our hearts! Is it not!

What are the most important commandments in your religion? Love God, then from there, love others, even extending to loving your enemies! Still not a bad answer! Great talking spirituality with these friends today! Always thankful to be in the long conversation!