If He Needs to Fear and Be Afraid from Honor

131 - If He Needs to Fear and Be Afraid from Honor One must fear and dread honor, for honor is a grave danger—jeopardizing one’s life—because honor judges all judgments. As it is written: “King of honor” (Psalms 24:10). Honor represents regal authority that renders judgment, and all scrutinize and ask: “Who is this King of honor?” (Exodus 29:46)—is he truly worthy? The phrase: “And they shall be sanctified in My honor” (Leviticus 22:32) is interpreted not as “in My honor” but “in My honored [status]” ( Zevachim 115b). Too much honor may lead to spiritual death. One is weighed in balances: even a minute failure in honor renders the scale of guilt decisive. This is referred to as “scales of justice” (Leviticus 19:36), linking divine justice and regal honor (see Tikkunim Ma’amar Patach Eliyahu).