War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

In August of 1908, when 80 years old, Tolstoy penned the open letter, “The Blessings of Love,” referring to the Love which embodies the Almighty. Tolstoy wrote much, later-in-life, about his religious convictions, but this episode will focus on this relatively short letter addressed to “Good People Everywhere.”Tolstoy explicitly introduces the concept of divine Love in War & Peace through Mayra reaching out in prayer when she faces the temptation for physical pleasure when Anatole pays a courting visit.  She feels the Lord has placed in her heart the direction to orient herself around heavenly Love. She is reminded to focus on the Lord’s command of Love: meaning commitment to others as demonstrated by God’s willingness to sacrifice his Son.  Tolstoy begins his missive with special appeal to those “fighting on behalf of one government or another, which nobody needs.”   He specifically reaches out to his “Dear Brothers” including: “King, Minister, Merchant, Worker, and Peasant.”He notes that the further he