Hayom Yom 20 Menachem Av - The love and fear of G‑d must be felt physically
The daily Hayom Yom with Rabbi Yosef Katzman · Rabbi Yosef Katzman
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Show Notes
כְּשֵׁם שֶׁמִּצְוַת תְּפִלִּין, עַל דֶּרֶךְ מָשָׁל
Just like by the mitzvah of tefillin, to use an example,
יֵשׁ לָהּ מָקוֹם קָבוּעַ בְּרֹאשׁ וּבִזְרוֹעַ
relates to a specific place on the head, and on the arm,
וּמַרְגִּישׁ כּוֹבֶד הַתְּפִלָּה שֶׁל רֹאשׁ
where one feels its weight on the head,
וְהַהִדּוּק דִּתְפִלָּה שֶׁל יָד
and where one feels the tightness [of the straps] on the arm.
כֵּן הוּא בְּמִצְוַת אַהֲבָה וְיִרְאָה
Similarly, the mitzvos of loving and fearing G‑d [must be felt physically].
וּכְמוֹ שֶׁכָּתַב הָרַמְבַּ"ם (יְסוֹדֵי הַתּוֹרָה פֶּרֶק בּ' הַלָכָה א')
Thus Rambam writes (in Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 2:1):
הָאֵל הַנִּכְבָּד וְהַנּוֹרָא הַזֶּה מִצְוָה לְאַהֲבָה וּלְיִרְאָה אוֹתוֹ
“It is a mitzvah to love and fear this glorious and awesome G‑d,
שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וְאָהַבְתָּ אֶת ה' אֱלוֹקֶיךָ וְנֶּאֱמַר אֶת ה' אֱלוֹקֶיךָ תִּירָא
as it is written, ‘And you shall love G‑d your L‑rd,’ and as it is written, ‘You shall fear G‑d your L‑rd.’”
הִנֵּה שִׁעוּר מִצְוֹת אֵלּוּ הוּא אֲשֶׁר יוּרְגְּשׁוּ בְּהֶרְגֵּשׁ גוּפָנִי בִּבְשַׂר הַלֵּב מַמָּשׁ
Now, these mitzvos may be considered fulfilled when one experiences them physically, in the very flesh of the heart.
וּכְמוֹ אָדָם הַפּוֹגֵשׁ אֶת אוֹהֲבוֹ הַנֶּאֱמָן
[One’s feelings of love for G‑d should have an effect] similar to meeting a faithful friend.
וְלֹא זוּ בִּלְבָד אַז אִים זאָל וועֶרעֶן גוּט פוּן דעֶם
[Then] not only does the encounter give him a feeling of well-being,
שֶׁיִּשְׁכַּח עַל כָּל הַדְּבָרִים הַמֵּעִיקִים אוֹתוֹ
so that he forgets all the matters that bother him,
אֶלָּא עוֹד שֶׁיִּתְעוֹרֵר בּוֹ חַיּוּת פְּנִימִי בְּתִקְוָה טוֹבָה
but moreover, inner energy and positive expectations are aroused within him,
כִּי לִבּוֹ טוֹב עָלָיו
because of his positive disposition.
וְכֵן בְּמִדַּת הַיִּרְאָה נוֹפֵל עָלָיו פַּחַד גָּדוֹל וּמוֹרָא
Likewise, with the attribute of fear of G‑d, great fear and dread should possess him,
כִּי בְּשָׁעָה הַהִיא הוּא נִזְכַּר עַל כָּל עִנְיָנָיו הַלֹא טוֹבִים בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה דִּבּוּר וּמַעֲשֶׂה
for at that time he will recall his undesirable thoughts, words, and actions,
וְלִבּוֹ יִכְאַב בִּכְאֵב מוּרְגָשׁ מִיִּרְאַת הָעוֹנֶשׁ בְּיִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
and his heart will feel actual pain from his fear of punishment, his fear of Heaven.
וְלִפְעָמִים הוּא בְּרֶגֶשׁ שֶׁל יְרֵא בּוֹשֶׁת
On occasion, he will feel awe that leaves him abashed,
אוֹ גַּם יִרְאַת הָרוֹמְמוּת
and sometimes he will even feel an elevating sense of awe of G‑d.
Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in English
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