What Gives Vitality to the 18 Principal Organs
In Sefer Mishlei, Shlomo Ha-Melech repeats the term “Yirat Ha-Shem”—“fear of G-d”—18 times.
These 18 verses that speak of yirat Ha-Shem (fear of G-d) correspond to the 18 types of treifot.
Since a person’s life depends on 18 organs in the body, the word חי, “chai,” meaning “alive,” has the numerical value of 18 in gematria. As long as these organs are intact, a person can live. It follows that fear of G-d is mentioned 18 times also because of the 18 organs on which life depends. If you fear G-d, He will preserve your life, as it is written: “The fear of G-d is a fountain of life, helping one avoid the snares of death.” (Mishlei 14:27)
Avraham was called one who feared G-d when he was prepared to take the life of his son Yitzchak, as it is written: “Now I know that you fear G-d, and you have not withheld your son.” (Bereishit 22:12)
Fear of G-d is mentioned 18 times also corresponding to the 18 blessings of the Amidah prayer. All the blessings of the Amidah must be recited with concentration, for the 18 blessings were instituted in correspondence with the 18 mentions of fear of G-d. Therefore, all the blessings—not only the requests—should be recited with awe.
To support the vital organs and aid in their healing, we present all 18 pesukim from Sefer Mishlei. The 18 Pesukim of Mishlei Corresponding to the Body’s 18 Organs- Mishlei 1:7
יִרְאַת ה׳ רֵאשִׁית דָּעַת חָכְמָה וּמוּסָר אֱוִילִים בָּזוּ׃
- “Yirat Ha-Shem reishit da’at; chokhmah u-musar evilim bazu”—(the fear of G-d is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction);
- Mishlei 1:29
תַּחַת כִּי שָׂנְאוּ דָעַת וְיִרְאַת ה׳ לֹא בָחָרוּ׃
- “Tachat ki sane’u da’at, ve-yirat Ha-Shem lo vacharu”—(because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of G-d);
- Mishlei 2:5
אָז תָּבִין יִרְאַת ה׳ וְדַעַת אֱלֹהִים תִּמְצָא׃
- “Az tavin yirat Ha-Shem, ve-da’at Elokim timtza”—(then you will understand the fear of G-d and find knowledge of G-d);
- Mishlei 8:13
יִרְאַת ה׳ שְׂנֹאת רָע גֵּאָה וְגָאוֹן וְדֶרֶךְ רָע וּפִי תַהְפֻּכוֹת שָׂנֵאתִי׃
- “Yirat Ha-Shem s’not ra; ge’ah ve-ga’on ve-derekh ra, u-fi tahpuchot saneiti”—(the fear of G-d means hating evil; I hate arrogance, pride, the way of evil, and deceitful speech);
- Mishlei 9:10
תְּחִלַּת חָכְמָה יִרְאַת ה׳ וְדַעַת קְדֹשִׁים בִּינָה׃
- “Techilat chokhmah yirat Ha-Shem, ve-da’at kedoshim binah”—(the beginning of wisdom is the fear of G-d, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding);
- Mishlei 10:27
יִרְאַת ה׳ תּוֹסִיף יָמִים וּשְׁנוֹת רְשָׁעִים תִּקְצֹרְנָה׃
- “Yirat Ha-Shem tosif yamim, u-shenot resha’im tiktsornah”—(the fear of G-d adds days, while the years of the wicked are shortened);
- Mishlei 14:2
הוֹלֵךְ בְּיָשְׁרוֹ יְרֵא ה׳ וּנְלוֹז דְּרָכָיו בּוֹזֵהוּ׃
- “Holekh be-yoshero yerei Ha-Shem, u-neloz derakhav bozehu”—(one who walks in his integrity fears G-d, while one who deviates from his ways despises Him);
- Mishlei 14:26
בְּיִרְאַת ה׳ מִבְטַח־עֹז וּלְבָנָיו יִהְיֶה מַחְסֶה׃
- “Be-yirat Ha-Shem mivtach oz, u-levanav yihyeh machseh”—(the fear of G-d provides strong security, and His children will have a refuge).
- Mishlei 14:27
יִרְאַת ה׳ מְקוֹר חַיִּים לָסוּר מִמֹּקְשֵׁי מָוֶת׃
- “Yirat Ha-Shem mekor chayim, lasur mi-mokshei mavet”—(the fear of G-d is a fountain of life, enabling one to avoid the snares of death);
- Mishlei 15:16
טוֹב מְעַט בְּיִרְאַת ה׳ מֵאוֹצָר רָב וּמְהוּמָה בוֹ׃
- “Tov me’at be-yirat Ha-Shem, me-otsar rav u-mehumah vo”—(better a little with the fear of G-d than great wealth accompanied by turmoil);
- Mishlei 15:33
יִרְאַת ה׳ מוּסַר חָכְמָה וְלִפְנֵי כָבוֹד עֲנָוָה׃
- “Yirat Ha-Shem musar chokhmah, ve-lifnei kavod anavah”—(the fear of G-d is the discipline of wisdom, and humility precedes honor);
- Mishlei 16:6
בְּחֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת יְכֻפַּר עָוֹן וּבְיִרְאַת ה׳ סוּר מֵרָע׃
- “Be-chesed ve-emet yekhupar avon, u-ve-yirat Ha-Shem sur me-ra”—(through kindness and truth, iniquity is atoned for, and the fear of G-d turns one away from evil);
- Mishlei 19:23
יִרְאַת ה׳ לְחַיִּים וְשָׂבֵעַ יָלִין בַּל יִפָּקֵד רָע׃
- “Yirat Ha-Shem le-chayim; ve-save’a yalin, bal yipaked ra”—(the fear of G-d leads to life; one rests content, and no harm will befall him);
- Mishlei 22:4
עֵקֶב עֲנָוָה יִרְאַת ה׳ עֹשֶׁר וְכָבוֹד וְחַיִּים׃
- “Ekev anavah—yirat Ha-Shem; osher ve-kavod ve-chayim”—(the consequence of humility and the fear of G-d is wealth, honor, and life);
- Mishlei 23:17
אַל יְקַנֵּא לִבְּךָ בַּחַטָּאִים כִּי אִם בְּיִרְאַת ה׳ כָּל הַיּוֹם׃
- “Al yekane libkha ba-chata’im, ki im be-yirat Ha-Shem kol ha-yom”—(let your heart not envy sinners; rather, let it remain in awe of G-d all day);
- Mishlei 3:7
אַל תְּהִי חָכָם בְּעֵינֶיךָ יְרָא אֶת ה׳ וְסוּר מֵרָע׃
- “Al tehi chakham be-einekha; yera et Ha-Shem ve-sur me-ra”—(do not be wise in your own eyes; fear G-d and turn away from evil);
- Mishlei 24:21
יְרָא אֶת ה׳ בְּנִי וָמֶלֶךְ עִם שׁוֹנִים אַל תִּתְעָרָב׃
- “Yera et Ha-Shem, beni, va-melekh; im shonim al tit’arav”—(fear G-d, my son, and the king; do not associate with rebels);
- Mishlei 31:30
שֶׁקֶר הַחֵן וְהֶבֶל הַיֹּפִי אִשָּׁה יִרְאַת ה׳ הִיא תִתְהַלָּל׃
- “Sheker ha-chen ve-hevel ha-yofi; ishah yirat Ha-Shem, hi tithalal”—(grace is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; a woman who fears G-d is the one who deserves praise).
(Based on Sefer Chassidim § 158 by Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Chassid)
