In this article, Rabbi Dr. Ira Bedzow discusses the importance of openness to knowledge and its relationship to the fear of Heaven.
In Mishle, Shlomo HaMelech writes, “Fear of Hashem is the beginning of knowledge (ראשית דעת); but the foolish (אוילים) despise wisdom and discipline.” 1
ראשית connotes more than just a beginning or head of something. That which is ראשית will influence the direction taken by the rest – just as the body will naturally and automatically move in the direction that the head is facing, so does an initial step shape the experience of a journey or does the command of a leader direct his or her troops. Moreover, ראשית is not a separate, preliminary, or independent first, but rather it is part of the whole of which it leads. For example, creation is both the beginning of the world and included within its history; the Egyptian first born, which Dovid HaMelech calls ראשית אונים,2 are both at the head and part of Egyptian people themselves.3 Therefore, fear of Hashem as ראשית דעת should also be understood דעת; it is both the first step in building a knowing relationship with God and part of that relationship at the same time.
אויל has the connotation of being unaffected or insensitive, having a desire to stand back and not commit. It shares a root with the word “perhaps” (אולי), which indicates a disinterest in taking a definitive stand. Because אוילים refuse to consider, let alone believe, that another’s ideas might have merit, not only will they not be able to possess fear of Hashem, they also despise wisdom and discipline.
As an introductory lesson, before he can impart any further wisdom through his proverbs, Shlomo HaMelech warns his readers that they must be open to considering what he says and have the right perspective to interpret properly what he means. That first lesson will not only shape how one continues to learn but it is also a valuable lesson in and of itself.
- Proverbs 1:7.
- Psalms 78:51.
- This idea is even more clearly emphasized by the fact that there is no ” ראשית” in Tanakh that is not connected to the following word, meaning that it is always found as a construct.