מוסר אויף איוב 28:28

It can also, be answered in a different way, one that is more internal: Torah is action and analysis, revealed and hidden. That which is revealed in the Torah is the practice of its commandments, which are the 248 positive commandments; and the guarding of its prohibitions, which are the 365 negative commandments. But there are [also] hidden reasons for these and those divine secrets that are all attached to His great name. About those that know them, it is stated, I will set him on high, because he has known My name (Psalms 91:14); and they are embodied by, and you who cling to the Lord, your God (Deuteronomy 4:4). So behold the order of levels is like this: A boor does not fear sin, etc.; rather he must first study the 613 commandments. Then the study will bring him to action and he will become, one who fears sin. Afterward, when he arrives at this virtue, all of his actions are a ladder to climb to analysis, which is the hidden part [of Torah] and he will merit to behold the pleasantness of the Lord [alluding to Psalms 27:4]. And this is the true wisdom — knowledge of the secrets of the commandments, which are the divine secrets. And it is for this wisdom that he needs to have it preceded by the fear of sin, as it is written, See, fear of the Lord is wisdom (Job 28:28). And then his wisdom will be preserved, and secrets of the Torah will be revealed to him, to be a sage who understands on his own. And this is a matter that we have seen and heard from many pious ones: Before their occupation with divine secrets, they would be examining [their] deeds, confessing their sins, and clothing themselves with the fear of God.

It is written in the Torah, "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God?" (Deut. 10:12). And it is writen, "You must revere the Lord your God" (ibid., 10:20). And it is written, "And the fear of the Lord which is His treasure" (Is. 33:6). And they said (Shabbath 31b, and see Berakoth 33b), "The Holy One has nought in His world save for the awe of Heaven," as it is written, "And unto man he said, "Behold (hen), the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom" (Job 28:28). (The fear of the Lord is unique in God's affections — Rashi, (ad. loc.) The Hebrew word hen can be interpreted to mean "one" for in Greek they pronounce the word "one" as "hen."

Behold scripture says: "Hen fear of G-d - this is wisdom" (Job 28:28). Our Sages of blessed memory commented (Shab 31b), "'Hen' [hints to] 'one', for in Greek 'one' is designated as 'Hen'". Behold, that fear of G-d is considered wisdom - and this alone is [true] wisdom. And certainly that which does not require investigation cannot be called "wisdom".