Key Scriptures
“The fear (yirah) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10
“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” – Psalm 2:11
Opening Thought
When we hear the word “fear,” most of us think of pachad… the sudden, gut-level panic when danger is near. But Mussar distinguishes between different kinds of fear. Yirah is not about survival instincts, nor is it just trembling at God’s power (eima).
Yirah is reverence. It’s the kind of fear that isn’t meant to paralyze but to orient. It’s what makes you whisper in a holy space, pause before speaking, and choose carefully when you remember that your choices echo in eternity.
Yirah is not “being scared of God.” It’s living with such awareness of His presence that you shape your life around Him.