yirah is alternately translated 'fear' and 'awe'. we learn in the tanya, zohar, and many different sources that there are 'lower' and 'higher' levels of yirah. here's my insight: the lower level is a fear of loss. [in the desert we feared running out of water and food.] the higher level comes only after true emunah (faith) is introduced. 'higher' yirah comes after we realise we no longer fear we will lose what it is we want, but instead we fear that one day we will forget we even have it. we will forget to appreciate it. [the offering of the first fruits serves to remind us of the source of all our blessings once we dwell in the land and no longer live day-to-day as we did in the desert.]
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