Parshas Eikev deals with both love and fear. The Rambam tells us that the most primitive level of relating to Hashem is through fear, after which one ascends to the more lofty level of love. The Ramban relates that positive mitzvos are performed out of love, and fear prevents us from violating negative commandments. In fact, says the Ramban, the famous Talmudic axiom that “a positive command suspends a negative command” is based on this principle. For example, the “Levirate Marriage” overpowers the prohibition of marrying one’s brother’s wife. Since positive mitzvos come from love, they supersede negative commands, which come from the lower level of fear. There is a third level known as “yiras haromimus,” which means reverence for Hashem. Transcending fear and love, we refrain from sin and perform mitzvos out of awe. Realizing Hashem’s greatness, we do His will simply because we dare not defy such an awesome being. FROM THIS WE LEARN that as Elul and the Days of Awe approach we must impress these ideas on our minds and hearts. May we be ready for our awesome audience with the King, and may we step near his throne with the proper fear, love and reverence.
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