Description: Yiras Shamayim 05
Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh
Volume I Pages 109-110
There are five forms of Yiras Shamayim. One, fear of punishment, both in the form of yesurim in this world, and Gehinnom in the next world. Two, fear of embarrassment in the next world, when all that we’ve done and who we really are will become apparent for everyone to see. Everyone we know, everyone who loves us, and respects us, will see us for who we actually are. Three, fear of losing connection to Hashem – fear of not achieving shelaimus, Kirvas Elokim. Four, awe of the greatness of Hashem, known as Yiras Haromemus. This means that we already have an appreciation of the greatness of Hashem and are horrified at the thought of diminishing or dishonoring Hashem by not doing enough. Five, fear of sin, known as Yiras Cheit, which is a fear of committing a sin which will diminish Kavod Shamayim.
The first three are discussed in the Mesilas Yesharim’s chapter on Zehirus, and the last two are discussed in the Mesilas Yesharim’s chapter on Yiras Cheit.
The first kind of fear, is what we have been discussing up till now, the fear of punishment. We have described how in essence this fear is not anxiety of suffering – rather it’s a deep understanding of the relationship we have with Hashem, how it’s not voluntary, and how Hashem presides over us at all times. We have developed the concept that this fear is synonymous with Kirvas Elokim, and brings to joy – not sadness.
The work of acquiring this fear is both through making Hashem’s presence real to ourselves, and also by observing the different kinds of suffering that takes place around us, and realize that no suffering happens without some avairah bringing it on. We don’t understand who Hashem punishes, why, and for what. It’s futile to try and understand that because Hashem’s plans span generations and the whole world and everything in it. The truth is though, that this makes it difficult to utilize what happens around us as inspiration for fear of Hashem, because it’s hard for us to see the connection between what happens, and what caused it to happen. There are evil people out there not getting punished for anything, seemingly, and tzaddikim who are suffering tremendously. Nevertheless, the fact remains, that suffering atones for sins, however and whatever they are.
The second kind of fear, the fear of embarrassment, is actually quite a high level to be on. It would require us to have a real enough feel for the world-to-come, to actually fear the embarrassment that could take place there. It’s not something natural, and requires a lot of work, so we will put this on the side for now.
The third kind of fear, the fear of losing the connection with Hashem, is something we can relate to and acquire, with work. We have dedicated time to understanding how a relationship with Hashem is the point of our lives – the point of Torah and mitzvos, of everything we do. If we have come to appreciate this relationship, more importantly, to feel it – and know how precious and wonderful it is, it begins to come naturally, that fear of losing the connection.
Think of it this way. You need to catch a flight to make it to your sister or brother’s chasanah. How important is it to you that you don’t miss that flight? If you miss the flight, you might make the next one, but will certainly miss the chuppah. The way we can tell how important it is for you – is should you chas v’shalom miss the flight, how upset and horrified will you be! If it’s a sibling chasanah you most likely will be beside yourself! What if it isn’t a sibling but a close friend? You will be upset, but probably not quite as upset. What if it’s a neighbor or acquaintance that really wanted you to come, or a business associate? You will be frustrated at the change of plans, but that’s probably all.
The level of fear we have, is commensurate to how close we feel to Hashem, and how much it will bother us to lose that connection. If we feel very close, we will be very upset if Hashem is distanced from us through our actions. If we don’t feel all that close, it obviously won’t make a big difference to us. However, as demonstrated, there are many levels of closeness and awareness of Hashems presence, and our relationship with Him. Every iota of growth that we achieve in this Avodah is huge! It changes our lives in so many ways, more than we can imagine. With each level, comes along a fear. Sometimes we feel this fear easily. Like the day after Yom Kippur, or the week after Yom Kippur. We’ve achieved a high level of spirituality and closeness to Hashem – and we don’t want to mess it up! Not yet! We feel clean and holy, we feel Hashems presence right next to us, we feel His love for us when we sit in the Sukkah, and we want to preserve that for as long as we can.
Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh
Volume I Pages 109-110
There are five forms of Yiras Shamayim. One, fear of punishment, both in the form of yesurim in this world, and Gehinnom in the next world. Two, fear of embarrassment in the next world, when all that we’ve done and who we really are will become apparent for everyone to see. Everyone we know, everyone who loves us, and respects us, will see us for who we actually are. Three, fear of losing connection to Hashem – fear of not achieving shelaimus, Kirvas Elokim. Four, awe of the greatness of Hashem, known as Yiras Haromemus. This means that we already have an appreciation of the greatness of Hashem and are horrified at the thought of diminishing or dishonoring Hashem by not doing enough. Five, fear of sin, known as Yiras Cheit, which is a fear of committing a sin which will diminish Kavod Shamayim.
The first three are discussed in the Mesilas Yesharim’s chapter on Zehirus, and the last two are discussed in the Mesilas Yesharim’s chapter on Yiras Cheit.
The first kind of fear, is what we have been discussing up till now, the fear of punishment. We have described how in essence this fear is not anxiety of suffering – rather it’s a deep understanding of the relationship we have with Hashem, how it’s not voluntary, and how Hashem presides over us at all times. We have developed the concept that this fear is synonymous with Kirvas Elokim, and brings to joy – not sadness.
The work of acquiring this fear is both through making Hashem’s presence real to ourselves, and also by observing the different kinds of suffering that takes place around us, and realize that no suffering happens without some avairah bringing it on. We don’t understand who Hashem punishes, why, and for what. It’s futile to try and understand that because Hashem’s plans span generations and the whole world and everything in it. The truth is though, that this makes it difficult to utilize what happens around us as inspiration for fear of Hashem, because it’s hard for us to see the connection between what happens, and what caused it to happen. There are evil people out there not getting punished for anything, seemingly, and tzaddikim who are suffering tremendously. Nevertheless, the fact remains, that suffering atones for sins, however and whatever they are.
The second kind of fear, the fear of embarrassment, is actually quite a high level to be on. It would require us to have a real enough feel for the world-to-come, to actually fear the embarrassment that could take place there. It’s not something natural, and requires a lot of work, so we will put this on the side for now.
The third kind of fear, the fear of losing the connection with Hashem, is something we can relate to and acquire, with work. We have dedicated time to understanding how a relationship with Hashem is the point of our lives – the point of Torah and mitzvos, of everything we do. If we have come to appreciate this relationship, more importantly, to feel it – and know how precious and wonderful it is, it begins to come naturally, that fear of losing the connection.
Think of it this way. You need to catch a flight to make it to your sister or brother’s chasanah. How important is it to you that you don’t miss that flight? If you miss the flight, you might make the next one, but will certainly miss the chuppah. The way we can tell how important it is for you – is should you chas v’shalom miss the flight, how upset and horrified will you be! If it’s a sibling chasanah you most likely will be beside yourself! What if it isn’t a sibling but a close friend? You will be upset, but probably not quite as upset. What if it’s a neighbor or acquaintance that really wanted you to come, or a business associate? You will be frustrated at the change of plans, but that’s probably all.
The level of fear we have, is commensurate to how close we feel to Hashem, and how much it will bother us to lose that connection. If we feel very close, we will be very upset if Hashem is distanced from us through our actions. If we don’t feel all that close, it obviously won’t make a big difference to us. However, as demonstrated, there are many levels of closeness and awareness of Hashems presence, and our relationship with Him. Every iota of growth that we achieve in this Avodah is huge! It changes our lives in so many ways, more than we can imagine. With each level, comes along a fear. Sometimes we feel this fear easily. Like the day after Yom Kippur, or the week after Yom Kippur. We’ve achieved a high level of spirituality and closeness to Hashem – and we don’t want to mess it up! Not yet! We feel clean and holy, we feel Hashems presence right next to us, we feel His love for us when we sit in the Sukkah, and we want to preserve that for as long as we can.