The Fear of God is the Beginning of Knowledge - Mishlei 1:7 and Kabbalat HaTorah
"יראת ה', ראשית דעת"
What is the connection between this verse, that fear of Hashem is the beginning of knowledge and Tehillim 111 - ראשית חכמה יראת ה - that fear of Hashem is the beginning of wisdom?
The highest level of yirah ("fear") is when you are afraid to do something wrong not because of fear of punishment or of God but because you don't want to cause pain to the One you love. Yirat Hashem (the middle level) leads to חכמה which in turn brings one to Yirat HaRommemut.
Yirat HaOnesh, Yirat Hashem, and Yirat HaRommemut.
Why is יראת השם the foundation of knowledge and wisdom?
Putting on the Tefillin Shel Yad (which represents action) before the Tefillin shel rosh (which represents the mind) is reaffirming Naaseh v'Nishma on a daily basis.
Delivered at the OU Israel Center, February 3rd, 2019 (28 Shevat 5779)
This shiur is sponsored by Mel David & Family.