The Torah commands in Parashat Ekeb (Debarim 10:20), “Et Hashem Elokecha Tira” – “You shall fear Hashem your G-d,” establishing a Biblical obligation to have fear of Hashem. The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that at all times, we are to feel a degree of fear, recognizing the repercussions of wrongdoing. The Torah issued this command, the Sefer Ha’hinuch explains, because the most effective deterrent against sin is fear of the consequences. Recognizing that G-d is aware of all our actions and punishes wrongdoing serves to discourage us from acting incorrectly and motivates us to conduct ourselves the way Hashem wants and expects us to.
This Misva applies is all places and in all time periods, and is binding upon both men and women. It is one of the six “Misvot Temidiyot” – Misvot which apply constantly, throughout the day, each and every day. At any time, we can fulfill this Misva by contemplating that G-d watches our behavior and holds us accountable. Additionally, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, a person fulfills this Misva anytime he experiences a desire to act wrongly but he desists because of fear of Hashem. But if one did not reflect at that moment on the repercussions of sin, and he commits the wrongful act, then he not only violates that prohibition, but also transgresses the affirmative command of Yir’at Hashem (fear of G-d), because he failed to have fear of Hashem.
The Talmud teaches, “Ha’kol Bi’ydeh Shamayim Hutz Mi’yir’at Shamayim” – everything is in G-d’s hands, except fear of G-d. Hashem exercises complete control over the world, but He left one area in our control, and that is our Yir’at Hashem. He does not interfere with our free will, and so it is entirely up to us whether we live with the fear of Hashem in our consciousness, or whether we ignore Hashem and do not reflect upon our accountability for our actions. Nobody should think that he is “pre-programmed,” that he is not able to live with religious commitment. We have the freedom and independence to choose our behavior, to restrain our sinful impulses, and to live the way Hashem wants us to live. People who live in submission to their natural drives and instincts in essence relinquish control over the one area of life over which they are able to have control. But when we live with Yir’at Hashem, we exercise control over ourselves, and have the freedom to live the way we are supposed to live.