DEUT333 In how many ways should a person hold himself to an accounting before God? I say that there are a multitude of ways in which to make such an accounting. Of these, I will point out thirty. They can clarify to a person what he owes God, if he will bring them to mind and undertake to reflect on them and remember them always. The love and service we owe the Creator comma in light of His love for us . … 14. A person should make an accounting with himself when he feels love, attachment, and yearning for one who, he thinks, has similar feelings toward him, as it is written: “As in water face answers to face, so the heart of man to man” (Mishlei 27:19). [His regard for his friend is likely to be] even higher if his friend is a notable or a lord, and all the more so if he sees in him signs that [the feeling is mutual]--for example, his friend becomes close to him and promises to help him, does favors for him and shows him kindness, though he [the friend] is not in need of him. In such a case, nothing would distract him from his love. He would hold none of his power in reserve for himself, but would put it all at his friend’s command and service, giving of himself, his wealth, and [the services of] his children in order to repay him [for his kindness]. Now, if we would go to such lengths for a fellow creature, a mere mortal, how much greater is our obligation to our Creator, may He be exalted, Who loves us, as the prophet has assured us, saying: “It is not because you are more numerous than all the nations that God cherished you and chose you.... Rather, it is because God loves you” (Devarim 7:7-8). Besides this assurance to us, we have seen signs--present and past-- of His love for us and His help to us, and how He has drawn us near and promised to stand by us in every generation, as He said: “Yet, for all that, when they are in their enemies’ land, I will not so abhor them and be disgusted with them as to destroy them and break My covenant with them” [Vayikra 26:44); and as Ezra said: “Though we are servants, our God has not abandoned us in our servitude” (Ezra 9: 9). To complete this reflection, we add what is apparent to all of us: if one had been a friend of our fathers and forefathers, we are bound to show him gratitude for his friendship by honoring and loving him, as the Wise One said: “Your friend and your father's friend, do not forsake” (Mishlei 27:10). The Creator, may He be exalted, reminds us of His covenant with our fathers and His providence over us for their sake, to keep His covenant with them, as He said: “Because He is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers” (Devarim 7:8). And there are many such passages.