YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Personality Development
- Pathways in Personality Development
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Rachel Bat Asher
The fear of God's exalted nature is achieved by dwelling upon the greatness of the Almighty and His loftiness. Such thoughts elevate a person and fill him with awe. One understands that the divine greatness cannot be described or even grasped, for the Almighty is transcends all blessing and praise, He is beyond all forms of perfection that man's mind can envision and comprehend. No human mind, no matter how great, is capable of grasping Him. He is greater than man can possibly imagine. "To whom then will you liken me, that I should be his equal? said the Holy One" (Isaiah 40:25).
This dwelling upon God's greatness by man causes adoration, excitement, a desire to get close to this greatness, to become engulfed in it, nullified by it. Not a nullification of cessation, but a nullification that magnifies a person. One becomes erect and filled with the divine light. He himself is nullified as he merges with the divine greatness. Fear of God's exalted nature is the fear which man longs for, thirsts for.
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
35 - 36. The Adornment of Religious Performance
36 - 35. Fear of God's Exalted Nature
37 - 37. Piety and the Love of God
Load More
This is true fear of Heaven, and it is necessary for people who experience difficulties in serving God. But for spiritual people with refined character traits fear of God's exalted nature is fitting, fear based upon adoration: "A God that is mighty in the great council of the holy ones and greatly feared of all who serve Him" (Psalms 89:8).
Such fear must accompany all of man's worship. It must spread from the mind to the heart, from the intellect to the emotion, until it reaches the senses, to the point that one sees himself when he prays or carries out commandments as if he were actually standing in the presence of the Creator. By pondering and internalizing this, one slowly begins to feel as if he actually stands before the Almighty, prays in His presence and makes requests of Him in person. One senses that the Almighty truly hears his prayers and requests.
When such fear fills the heart, it spreads and influences a person's behavior. When a person constantly sees God before him - "I have set the Lord always before me" (Psalms 16:8) - he behaves accordingly. Fear is discernible in everything he does - when he stands, walks, prays. The sage Rava would place his hands upon his heart when praying, like a servant before his master, with fear and trepidation. Rav Huna would put on appropriate clothes before praying. He said, "Prepare to meet your God."
In sum: Fear is one of the pillars upon which divine service rests, and the chief aspect of the fear of God is the fear of His exalted nature.
---
Some of the above translation was taken from or based upon Feldheim's "The Path of the Just," and from Davka's Soncino Judaic Classics Library (CD-Rom).
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
