Machshava:

Chassidut 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Bilvavi I

Description

Basis of our avodas (serving) Hashem is yiras ha'onesh (fear of punishment). If our entire connection to yiddishkeit is based on ahava (love), then there is nothing that keeps us "in line" when we do not feel Hashem's love. If we serve G-d because we are afraid that He is going to smack us at any moment we have no joy in life. Neglecting completely or focusing exclusively on yiras ha'onesh are both very dangerous. We must find Hashem in yiras ha'onesh and then come closer to Hashem through this fear of punishment. The punishment and fear of gehinom (purgatory) exist only for the sake of bringing us closer to Hashem. Understanding Hashem's loves allows us to hear criticism and we do not have to run away from G-d.