Contradiction between Ahava and Yirah? [#218]

February 12, 2018

Question:

Isn’t it a contradiction to have both ahavah and yirah towards Hashem?  

Answer:

Our entire existence is a contradiction, for we are made up of body and soul, the greatest contradiction possible. Hashem is called yoshev b’seiser elyon, “He resides in the hidden upper chambers” - in a “seiser”, from the word stirah/contradiction, to show us that we are supposed to serve Him amidst all the contradictions in our Avodah towards Him. Although ahavah and yirah towards Hashem are two contradictory concepts, we need both of them and each of them needs other one in order to properly thrive.