“He who possesses learning but is without fear of God, resembles a treasurer who has the key for the inner door, but not for the outer one” (Babyl. Talm. Sabb. 31b).
“Everything is in the hand of God except the fear of God” (Babyl. Talm. Ber. 33b).[3]
2. Love of God. אהבת השם—The true fear of God is associated with the love of God. The latter means the constant longing for communion with Him, feeling happy and joyful when with Him, but unhappy and miserable when without Him. Love of God creates in us an anxiety to do everything in our power that might please the Almighty. He who is filled with love of God is חסיד, pious; he does not rest content with doing what he is commanded, but anxiously seeks the opportunity of fulfilling a Divine command; he is רודף אחר המצות, “eager in the pursuit of Mitsvoth.” The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, but love of God is the aim and end of all our religious thinking and striving.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deut. vi. 5). [[275]]
“The Lord preserveth all those who love him (Ps. cxlv. 20).
“Thou wilt show me the path of life. In thy presence is fulness of joy; in thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. xvi. 11).
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God” (Ps. xlii. 2).
“Blessed are they who dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee” (Ps. lxxxiv. 5).
“The desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee” (Isa. xxvi. 8).
“I will rejoice in the Lord; I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab. iii. 18).