If a man steals [in secret], a bull or a lamb and slaughters or sells it, he shall pay five cattle for the bull and four sheep for the lamb (Shemos 21:37).

The disciples of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai asked him why the Torah was more severe with a thief (who steals secretly) than with a robber (who steals openly)? He replied, the robber equated the honor of the slave (the people) with the honor of his master whereas the thief does not equate the honor of the slave with the honor of the master (but higher), for as it were, he acts as if the eye of above would not be seeing and the ear of above would not be hearing (Baba Kama 79b).

Rashi explains that the thief fears people more than he fears the Creator.

The Gemara in Brachos 28b states: When Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai fell ill, his disciples went in to visit him ... They said to him, Master, bless us. He said to them, may it be G-d's will that the fear of heaven shall be upon you like the fear of flesh and blood. His disciples said to him, is that all? He said to them, if only you can attain this! You can see how important this is, for when a man wants to commit a transgression, he says, “I hope noone will see me”.

On the one hand, how can the Torah demand that a simple thief be on the level of the disciples of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai? On the other hand, why were the disciples of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai blessed to be on such a basic level?

Rav Yaakov Niman in his sefer Darchi Musser answers that even the simplest man can reach the exalted state of fearing one’s Creator and even the greatest man needs a blessing not to fall from this state.

Application:
What can I do to bring my fear of G-d up to the level of my fear of people?

Give 10 quick answers to the following sentence stem:
If I feared G-d as much as I fear people, I would …

I hope it is ok to post the following here. If it is not would somebody please put me straight. I posted it in all sincerity. I got it in my inbox today. Later I read Rabbi Mitterhoff's post on Parshas Mishpatim and his questions at the end of it, and I thought that Rabbi Schneersohn's comment fitted well. I myself have often found the analogy of a person to a garden to be a useful one.


"From: "Chabad.org" <subscriptions@chabad.org> Subject: DAILY DOSE: The Field of your Mind
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2006 10:31:00 -0500

B"H

The Field of your Mind
----------------------

Your mind is a fertile field, but first its soil must be softened and
furrowed. Open it to the wisdom that rains down from the heavens, let
the dew of Torah sink into your soul, the seeds laid by tzaddikim enter
your heart. Learn to lie still as they awaken and take root. Quietly
await the spring.

In the place of thorns and a tangle of weeds will grow a bountiful
garden. Where once wild and brazen delusions sprang forth, a tightly
focussed beam of light will shine.


A Daily Dose of Wisdom from the Rebbe
-words and condensation by Tzvi Freeman
Shevat 24, 5766 * February 22, 2006"

quote:

Application:
What can I do to bring my fear of G-d up to the level of my fear of people?

Shalom

In every step of life the three garments speech, thought and action should be sorrounded by g-dlyness spark. That is to bless all that we are allowed to get as G-dly given. All is designed from the creator, even fear of people.

If I feared G-d as much as I fear people I would nullified my evil inclinations ( sutra Achra ) even if my body turns endangered.

Kol Tuv
Lej Leshalom