What does it really mean to acquire Yirat Hashem without becoming anxious, rigid, or spiritually “small”?
In this Hachana L’Shabbos, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David zoom in on the words we often rush past near the end of bentching: “Yiru es Hashem kedoshav, ki ein machsor l’yire’av.” Rav Biederman brings a powerful teaching בשם בית אהרן מקרלין: if a person is truly chasing Yirat Shamayim, nothing is missing — spiritually and emotionally.
From there we open Rav Kook’s Middot HaRa’ayah and discover a surprising definition: real Yirah doesn’t weaken you. It gives oz v’gevurah, fills life with purpose and big aspirations, and elevates your talents with the light of a holy fire. And we clarify the essential distinction between fear-based Yirah (sometimes necessary as a guardrail) and Yirat Romemut — a higher awe that comes with ahavah and an inner Eden.
A practical, uplifting reframing of Yirat Hashem so your avodah leaves you feeling more alive, more courageous, and more connected.
----------
For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.com
Join Rav Shlomo Katz's WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KHKOhhPaeHx5Kb74WL9L9a?mode=ems_copy_t
CHAPTERS
00:00 Opening Nigun and Shabbat Greeting
01:43 Shabbat Welcome and Sponsorship
03:21 Benching Structure and the Rise Toward Mashiach
17:15 Exploring Kinyan Yirat Shamayim
19:26 Rav Kook on the Nature of Yirat Hashem
25:58 Distinguishing Fear from Awe in Yirat Hashem
27:12 Seeing Hashem Everywhere: a New View of Yirat Hashem
28:36 Fear (Eimah) Triggered by Seeing Hashem in Sin
30:58 Distinguishing Yirat Chet from Yirat Shamayim
36:49 Rambam vs. Ra’avad on Visualizing Kisse Hakavod
37:55 Rav Kook on Visualization for Higher Yirat Hashem
41:10 Yirat Romemut: Love and Inner Eden
42:18 Closing Blessing and Niggun for Yirat Romemut
