Q&A: Halakhic Commitment and Fear of Heaven
Halakhic Commitment and Fear of Heaven
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I started studying Jewish law in recent months, and I’m noticing a very large gap between the new insights from my learning and my day-to-day lifestyle.
Do you believe that a person can develop their level of halakhic commitment? If so, how? What factors can help with that?
Another question: how do you define the concept of "fear of Heaven," and do you believe that halakhic commitment is necessarily connected to fear of Heaven?
Answer
I didn’t understand the question. Of course a person can decide to be more careful. What exactly is the question? If you’re asking about tactics, that’s a question for a psychologist, not for me.
Indeed, halakhic commitment expresses a certain level of fear of Heaven. It’s hard for me to point to another measure. But of course one has to discuss what exactly that Jewish law is that you are observing. It does not necessarily mean everything that appears in the Mishnah Berurah. You may have an independent position about what Jewish law says, and that does not indicate a lack of fear of Heaven.