It is in my faith that love for Hashem should be unconditional. Therefore, I look up to Elie Wiesel; the man in the picture. His love for Hashem was also unconditional.
I am not a Jew (or a Christian), but I loved Hashem first (see * for explanation below), when I was at my worst, and in return He gave me a wonderful life beyond my wildest dreams as a child**.
At my lowest, in college, I was an atheist addicted to the opiates gliadorphin and casomorphin. I probably also had severe sleep apnea, because after college I was given a sleep study, and I slept for 45min having 54 apneas in that 45min. Just imagine getting 1hr of sleep a day on opium for years on end. I had also been hospitalized for psychosis, and treated with psychotropic drugs. I worked at a golf course, where one of my fellows dictated, "Craig is the tiredest human being on earth." While I was suffering greatly, the idea of G-d was maddening. Then, Hashem spoke to me, an unlocatable voice out of creation that said, "I am punishing you." I had faith, and boldly (I had nothing to lose that I know of.) retorted back to Hashem, "Why are you punishing me?" Hashem responded, "I get everyone sooner or later. (Deuteronomy 31:20 chabad.org - ...Then, they will turn to other deities and serve them, provoking Me and violating My covenant.)" So I believed, not because I assumed or demanded He would shower me with gifts, yet I testify divine reward and punishment are real things. As an atheist, I received divine punishment. As a believer in Hashem, I was eventually rewarded.
It is now absolutely a joy to be alive, and I trust that no matter what, I love Hashem in the way that I love my wife, Meghan, and I believe with trust comes blessing. However, with Hashem, like my pet turtle; I don’t love her because she is smart, or because she does anything. She is a turtle, a reptile, and would eat me alive without knowledge of doing right or wrong if I let her. I love G-d in the way that I love creation, big animals, small animals, plants and beyond. There is nothing about creation that I think is appropriate to hate or judge Hashem for.
The answer to problems is love, not love that says if I do this then Gd will give me such and such, but to accept all of His creation, and to observe His commandments, regardless, as Elie Wiesel put on tefillin, as did many others, during the Holocaust. I think sometimes Hashem tests us to see if we actually do love Him unconditionally with a love dependent on nothing. That may be the reason behind the Holocaust, I don’t know, but I do know the answer is always to love Hashem with a love similar to the love of David and Jonathan, a love dependent on absolutely nothing at all.
Torah that comes to mind (from chabad.org):
***Ethics of the Fathers 5:16. Any love that is dependent on something--when the thing ceases, the love also ceases. But a love that is not dependent on anything never ceases. What is [an example of] a love that is dependent on something? The love of Amnon for Tamar. And one that is not dependent on anything? The love of David and Jonathan.
****Ethics of the Fathers 1:3. Antignos of Socho received the tradition from Shimon the Righteous. He would say: Do not be as slaves, who serve their master for the sake of reward. Rather, be as slaves who serve their master not for the sake of reward. And the fear of Heaven should be upon you.
This is different from Jesus teaching in his "Sermon on the Mount." It is different because I believe one should seek Hashem first, not the kingdom, and expect nothing in return.
Matthew 6:33 in the Authorized King James Version of the Bible: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
* "Malachi 1:3 And I hated Esau, and I made his mountains desolate and his heritage into [a habitat for] the jackals of the desert. " - chabad.org
** Rambam - Edut - Chapter 13:2
Converts are not considered as relatives. Even two twin brothers who convert may testify on each others behalf. For a convert is considered as a newborn child.
***This is a comparison of my version of ideal love for Hashem. It is the way David loved Jonathan, and also the way Elie Wiesel loved Hashem.
****This is another comparison of my ideal version of love for G-d. Serve the L-rd demanding absolutely nothing in return in the way that a good employee shouldn't serve their boss/manager for the sake of rewards, such as money.
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