Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does it mean to 'fear the Lord thy God' in Deuteronomy 6:13?
A: The 'fear of the Lord' (Yirat Hashem) refers to a deep reverence and awe for G-d, recognizing His greatness and authority. According to Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:1-2), this includes both fear of punishment and a higher level of fear—awe of His infinite majesty. This is a foundation of Jewish belief and service.
Q: Why does the verse say to 'serve Him' after mentioning fear?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 31a) explains that serving G-d out of fear is a basic level, but the ideal is to serve Him out of love (as mentioned in the previous verse, Deuteronomy 6:5). Rashi notes that 'serve Him' refers to prayer, Torah study, and fulfilling mitzvot—showing that fear should lead to action in serving G-d.
Q: When is it permitted to swear by G-d's name, as mentioned in this verse?
A: The Torah permits swearing by G-d's name only in serious matters like court testimony (Shevuot 29a). Rambam (Hilchot Shevuot 5:1) warns against casual oaths, as they risk taking G-d's name in vain. This verse teaches that His name is holy and should only be used truthfully and reverently.
Q: How does this verse apply to daily Jewish life today?
A: This verse is the basis for key Jewish practices: (1) cultivating Yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven) in all actions, (2) daily prayer (Avodah/service), and (3) being truthful in speech. The Sifrei (Devarim 49) connects this to the Shema—reminding us to live with constant awareness of G-d.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse summarizes three fundamentals of Jewish life: proper belief (fear of G-d), action (service through mitzvot), and speech (truthful oaths). Midrash Tanchuma (Eikev 3) says these correspond to thought, deed, and word—showing Judaism requires holiness in all aspects of life.
Fear of Hashem (יִרְאַת ה')
The verse begins with the commandment "אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ תִּירָא" - "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God." Rashi (Devarim 6:13) explains that this refers to the obligation to develop yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven), which serves as the foundation for all mitzvot. The Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:1-2) elaborates that this fear stems from recognizing Hashem's infinite greatness and power, which should inspire awe and reverence in one's heart.
Service of Hashem (עֲבוֹדַת ה')
The second clause "וְאֹתוֹ תַעֲבֹד" - "and serve Him" is interpreted by the Sifrei (Devarim 11:13) as referring to Torah study and prayer. The Talmud (Ta'anit 2a) states that "service of the heart" (עבודה שבלב) is prayer, while the Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 1:1) extends this to include all forms of divine service through mitzvot.
Proper Use of Oaths (שְׁבוּעָה בִּשְׁמוֹ)
The final instruction "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" - "and shalt swear by His name" is explained by the Rambam (Hilchot Shevuot 11:1) as permitting oaths when necessary for truth and justice, but only when done with complete sincerity and reverence. The Talmud (Shevuot 39a) warns against taking Hashem's name lightly in oaths, as this violates the sanctity of the Divine Name.
Connection to Shema and Daily Life
The Kli Yakar (Devarim 6:13) connects this verse to the preceding Shema passage, noting that just as we accept Hashem's unity in Shema, we must demonstrate it through fear, service, and proper use of oaths in daily life. This threefold obligation represents:
Contemporary Application
The Chafetz Chaim (Shemirat HaLashon 1:8) emphasizes that in modern times, this verse reminds us to maintain proper reverence in speech, particularly regarding casual references to Hashem's name. The obligation to serve Hashem applies in all generations through Torah study, prayer, and performance of mitzvot with proper intention.