In an op-ed in the NYTs by columnist Frank Bruni “Flattery paves the road to the president’s heart” (June 29, 2026), he wrote this definition of what Donald Trump means by “love”:

“It’s love as a transaction. A contract. A pact. I’ll stroke your back — lightly — if you give a deep-tissue massage to mine. We’ll call that love.”

Nothing about what Trump considers “love” suggests what most of us understand about that most important value.

We live in an era of chaos, ugliness and brutality, fear, ignorance, bigotry, and hate, all of which polarize large segments of our population in North America, Israel, and around the world. Such animus and negativity shut people down and close them off from one another, leaving us mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually depleted and feeling alone. Yet, even as we acknowledge the mess in the world, it is important to remember the virtue that drives, sustains, unites, and enables us to cope and find greater meaning – love (Hebrew – ahavah-אהבה).

There are all kinds of love: the foundational bond that anchors parents and children, the romantic and erotic passion that elevates lovers, the sibling intimacy that strengthens sisters and brothers, and the love and trust that deepens intimacy and understanding between the closest friends. There is the mentor–mentee love that enriches teachers and students. Our love of work motivates us to be productive and affirm our........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)