I'm still learning from Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Today I learned what "fear of the Lord," really means. The good Reb explains it by breaking the word "fear" down in Hebrew.
In Hebrew, there are three words that mean fear. Pakhad means terror. We are not to be terrified of God.
Aymah means high anxiety. We are not to be anxious or nervous about God. Yirah means realization or consciousness. For example, you suddenly become aware that your beloved is watching you. That's what fear of the Lord means--staying aware that God is watching you. Smile because you make Him smile.
