# Jews: How do you deal with an angry Hashem?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-how-do-you-deal-with-an-angry-hashem/281305>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [December 23, 2004, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-how-do-you-deal-with-an-angry-hashem/281305 "2004-12-23T07:29:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-how-do-you-deal-with-an-angry-hashem/281305/21 "2004-12-27T01:30:51Z")

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> [@WeRSauron](#):
>
> Amongst Jews, what is the primary reason for obeying the commandments: fear or love of Hashem?

The answer is both. One should strive to keep the commandments out of love of God. But if one is unable to do so (for whatever reason) keeping them out of fear of God is just as acceptable.

Zev Steinhardt

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**Author:** ![WeRSauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@WeRSauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeRSauron)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-how-do-you-deal-with-an-angry-hashem/281305/22 "2004-12-27T01:45:21Z")

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Thank you, **zev**.

I have no more questions left. 🙂

WRS

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**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-how-do-you-deal-with-an-angry-hashem/281305/23 "2004-12-27T03:55:36Z")

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> [@WeRSauron](#):
>
> I have no more questions left. 🙂

Somehow, I doubt that. In any event, I hope not. When one stops asking questions, it means that he has stopped learning. You seem far too intelligent a fellow to allow that to happen. 🙂

Zev Steinhardt

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**Author:** ![WeRSauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@WeRSauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeRSauron)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-how-do-you-deal-with-an-angry-hashem/281305/24 "2004-12-27T04:37:43Z")

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Okay, so I lied.

_Yiras shamayim_, fear of Heaven - what is this fear like? Is it fear as in, “I’m scared Hashem will do something to me!” Or is it fear as in, “Oh, Hashem is so much bigger and more powerful than I am. I ought to heed His commands” (that is, more akin with awe). Which type of fear does Hashem want His people to have, that the prophets try to bring out through their pronouncements?

WRS

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**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-how-do-you-deal-with-an-angry-hashem/281305/25 "2004-12-27T14:36:19Z")

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The three “intentions” of Catholicism were, I believe, derived from rabbinic thought:

1. Based in love – I will not succumb to temptation because I love God and will do what He commands.

2. Moral – I will not sin because I know sin to be wrong.

3. Prudential – I will not sin because I know the consequences of sinning.

The first is considered “perfect”; the second two, “imperfect, but acceptable” intentions.

**Zev** or another expert on Judaism should speak to how these are seen in Jewish thought.

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