Kabbalah Library

The work in general is:

1) Fear: This is called “the first commandment.” It is fear as in “great and ruling,” which are two discernments: 1) He attains His greatness. At that time, by seeing the exaltedness of the Creator, fear is established in his heart because he attains the greatness of the Creator.

Then, the measure of the greatness determines the measure of the fear. On this, there is no work, since it is a natural thing for the little one to annul before the great one. Then, through the quality of “great”—when the measure of the fear is determined—comes the “ruler,” for then he has true fear, a discernment of only the “ruler.”

This means that even though he does not attain anything unless through faith above reason, on such a level is the true fear. However, the fear in the manner of “great” is required in order to know the measure of the fear.

2) Love: Likewise, there are two manners in love, as well—in the manner of the side of His goodness, and in the manner of the side of the harsh judgment. Love on the side of His goodness is only in order to determine the measure of love, meaning the measure of His greatness. Afterward, when he already knows the measure of love, he must receive this measure as unconditional love, as in “Even if He takes your soul.” This is regarded as absolute love.

At that time, it is regarded that he is permanently adhered because nothing in the world can stop him because he does not need anything, for there is nothing more in the world than “taking your soul.” Hence, one who is ready for devotion every moment is certain to go forward on the rungs of holiness.