What is the highest level of divine service according to the Rambam?
The Rambam explicitly ranks: love > fear. Serving from love means no reward is expected, no punishment is feared. It's pure devotion to God because He is worthy of it.
Question 2
How does the Rambam describe the proper intensity of love for God?
The Rambam quotes the lovesick person: they can't stop thinking about the beloved — sleeping, waking, eating. That level of constant consciousness is the ideal.
Question 3
What is the path to developing genuine love of God?
The Rambam's epistemological approach: knowledge generates love. Study what God made, understand its wisdom, and love for the Maker develops naturally. You cannot love what you don't know.
Question 4
Is studying Torah in order to become wealthy or respected acceptable?
The Rambam distinguishes levels: God accepts all Torah study, even for ulterior motives, as a stepping stone. But the ideal is love-motivated study with no expectation of reward.
Question 5
What does the Rambam say connects to the love of God at the very end of the Laws of Teshuvah?
The Rambam's grand finale: love of God grows through knowledge of God, which grows through studying creation. This connects the Laws of Teshuvah back to Chapter 2 of Yesodei HaTorah — the entire Sefer Madda is one unified journey.