It is because there are two categories of mitzvos: an “obligatory” mitzvah and an “existing, but non-obligatory mitzvah”. Fear of punishment is an “obligatory” mitzvah upon a person when he feels like sinning, but during all other times, although fear of punishment is not “obligatory” upon the person, there is still a mitzvah to fear punishment.
When the Rambam says that one should have yirah at all times, can this mean the non-obligatory mitzvah to fear punishment at all times? Simply speaking, yirah is a means by which a person can avoid sin. However, the Rambam says that we must fear Hashem all the time, and that this is part of having emunah. Thus, yirah is more than just avoiding a sin. It is so that we shouldn’t turn into deniers of Hashem, who are disloyal to Hashem. By fearing Hashem we can avoid sinning, but it is also about being loyal all the time – so having yirah is part of our emunah in Hashem.
The first aspect, fear of punishment so that we should avoid sin, is the lower use of yirah. The second aspect, fear of punishment so that we should increase our emunah in Hashem, is the higher purpose of yirah.
Thus, according to the Rambam’s view, the mitzvah of yirah which we have on a constant basis is essentially to be in awe of Hashem for the purpose of maintaining our emunah (belief in Hashem) at all times, whereas the mitzvah of yirah when we feel like sinning is only for the specific purpose of avoiding sin [but such yirah only serves to prevent one from sinning, and it does not bring a person to increased belief in Hashem].
When one sins he doesn’t get punished right away. If people would get punished right away when they sin, no one would sin (because everyone would lose their free will). So there must be a higher function of yirah other than fearing punishment. By having yirah even when we aren’t tempted with sin, we gain yirah at all times, not just during a time of temptation. That is why we have an obligation to have yirah constantly, even when we aren’t tempted with a sin. It is so that we should maintain our emunah in Hashem.
Therefore, according to the Rambam, we can understand that the concept of yirah includes being afraid of Hashem when we are tempted with a sin, as well as during all other times. That is the obligatory mitzvah that the Rambam is speaking about, of having yirah at all times. According to the Rambam, yirah is a part of having emunah in Hashem’s Divine Providence, and this is an obligation that applies at all times.
However, the Sefer HaChinuch maintains that there is an obligatory mitzvah of yirah only when one is being tempted with a sin, but during all other times, when one is not being tempted with a sin, there is a non-obligatory mitzvah to have yirah at all other times. Thus, according to the Sefer HaChinuch, the mitzvah to have fear Hashem is solely for the purpose of avoiding sin, and it is not for the purpose of increasing one’s belief in Hashem.
In summary, the Rambam’s view is that fearing punishment is for the purpose of increasing emunah in Hashem, while the view of the Sefer HaChinuch is that fear of punishment is for the purpose of avoiding sin.
YIRAS HAROMEMUS – AWE OF HASHEM’S EXALTEDNESS AND FEAR OF ANGERING THE KING
The Rambam also describes a higher level of yirah, which is yiras haromemeus (fear of Hashem’s exaltedness): “One should fear transgressing Hashem’s will, so that one shouldn’t make Hashem angry, and also because one should feel the embarrassment and lowliness of being a mere human being, in front of the King of all kings.”
The Mesillas Yesharim describes the level called “chassidus” (piety), which is loftier than fear of punishment. It would seem that chassidus is synonymous with yiras haromemeus. However, the Rambam’s description of yiras haromemus is a loftier level than the Mesillas Yesharim’s description of chassidus. This is because the Rambam explains that there are two parts to yiras haromemeus: to fear sin because I am in awe of Hashem [which would be equal to the Ramchal’s description of chassidus], and also to fear sin because one does not want to “anger the King”. When one is afraid of angering Hashem, it is a higher level than just being afraid of Hashem’s exaltedness.
Thus, yiras haromemus includes feeling embarrassed in front of Hashem, and it includes fear of angering Hashem. [We will return to discussing this in a later lesson.]
