Close To Torah

Today’s Question: Saved By A Wife

Who are the two men in Tanach that had their lives saved by a woman and afterwards married her?

Yesterday’s Question: Ahava and Yirah

Why is it that with regards to the love of God it is called “Ahavas Hashem,” whereas in regards to the fear of God, it is called “Yiras Shemayim”? Why does one focus on Hashem Himself and the other refers to the Heavens?

Our Answer:

We began our new series with a discussion of “Raishis Chochma Yiras Hashem, the start of knowledge is the fear of Hashem” (Tehillim 111:10)!

The Talmud Yerushalmi (Berachos 67a) states that one should both love God and fear Him. It explains that one without the other is insufficient. The reason is that, “a lover does not come to hate, and a fearer does not come to kick!” The explanation is that if one has fear, this deters a relationship and closeness, thus one can end up hating, but with love, there is a true and lasting relationship. When one has love though this can cause one to be extremely comfortable and can break down the proper parameters of respect. Thus Chazal teach us to develop both a loving relationship with Hashem and a fearful respect as well.

This says the Maharal (Derech Chaim 1:4) is hinted by the exact difference of expression which our question took note of. Ahavas Hashem is the approach of love. This focuses on our closeness to God himself. Thus Ahavas Hashem! Yirah, fear, is the buffer-zone that maintains the respect and does not overstep the appropriate boundaries, thus it contains the word Shemayim, heaven, to show that He is still far and removed from us. Only with the development of both feelings can one be called a true Servant of God!

 Print

The Daily Question Ahavas Hashem, Yiras Hashem