Kabbalah Amsal 1:7: Zohar & Ohr HaSekhel

R. Abba said: ‘The expression “Serve the Lord with fear” contains a mystical allusion. What kind of fear is meant? It is that which here esoterically alludes to the Holy One, blessed be He, as in the verse, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1, 7).’ R. Eleazar said: ‘If a man desires to serve his Master, from what place should he commence and in what place should he first aim at unifying the name of his Master? In “fear”, with which the ascent heavenwards commences.’

Each and every commandment from the 613 commandments that Moses our teacher, may he rest in peace, commanded us according to the Lord, as it is said (Deuteronomy 33:4), "Moses commanded us the Torah, an inheritance for the congregation of Jacob," is connected to the secret of the Torah, which is in the numerical value of 611. And similarly, it is connected, as it is written (Deuteronomy 10:20), "You shall fear the Lord, your God," and also, "and you shall fear your God," which is the secret of the fear of heaven. And it is also written (Proverbs 1:7), "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Now, you should know that there remain from the 613 commandments two commandments, and they are the two extremes. The first extreme is at the pinnacle of elevation that has no elevation beyond it, and it is the secret of knowing the Name. If you think to reach its ultimate, you will need to be a separate intellect. This is prevented from every material entity, but you need to know from it what is not fitting for you to be an intellect in it, from the aspect of being an image of God and having the likeness of God. Each and every commandment from the 613 commandments that Moses our teacher, may he rest in peace, commanded us according to the Lord, as it is said (Deuteronomy 33:4), "Moses commanded us the Torah, an inheritance for the congregation of Jacob," is connected to the secret of the Torah, which is in the numerical value of 611. And similarly, it is connected, as it is written (Deuteronomy 10:20), "You shall fear the Lord, your God," and also, "and you shall fear your God," which is the secret of the fear of heaven. And it is also written (Proverbs 1:7), "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Now, you should know that there remain from the 613 commandments two commandments, and they are the two extremes. The first extreme is at the pinnacle of elevation that has no elevation beyond it, and it is the secret of knowing the Name. If you think to reach its ultimate, you will need to be a separate intellect. This is prevented from every material entity, but you need to know from it what is not fitting for you to be an intellect in it, from the aspect of being an image of God and having the likeness of God.