The word Ahavah appears both as the Hebrew root for love and as a proper place name in Ezra — a river or canal near Babylon where Ezra gathered the returning exiles for prayer and fasting before their journey to Jerusalem.
That Ezra chose a place called Ahavah (Love) to call the people to fasting and prayer before a dangerous journey creates a rich theological picture. The journey back to Zion begins at Love — in humility, dependence on God, and devotion to His house. Before advance comes consecration; before action comes prayer; and all begins in love for God.