Fear of Shame
The commandment to fear G-d does not refer to fear of punishment, for that kind of fear requires no command. Rather, the Torah commands a higher form of awe—“fear of shame”—where a person fears to sin because he is ashamed before the greatness of the Creator, like how one feels humbled in front of a great person.
—Keter Shem Tov
Fear of Punishment Has Value
Fear of punishment is not the ideal service of G-d, as it stems from concern for oneself. Still, the Torah warns of the punishments that await the sinner so that this fear can prevent him from sinning. Even though fear that comes from self-interest is not complete, sin itself is far worse.
—the Tzemach Tzedek
Awe That Overcomes Temptation
Someone who possesses only fear of punishment may still be drawn into sin, since the pleasure of sin is immediate, while punishment is delayed—and he might rely on doing teshuvah to avoid it. But one who fears the sin itself, the separation it causes from G-d, feels the loss immediately, and does not want to be apart from G-d even for a moment.
—the Rebbe
Always Given
“Everything is in the hands of Heaven except fear of Heaven” (Berachot 33b). All things a person prays for are given if it is desired Above; if not, they are withheld. “Except fear of Heaven”—when one asks for this, it is always granted.
—the Rebbe Maharash
A Chandelier Without Bulbs
The Rebbe Rayatz said: Torah without fear of Heaven is like an electric chandelier with no lightbulbs, or a tallit katan without tzitzit.
