Judaism Without Gehinnom Is Not Judaism | Rabbi Avigdor Miller
Rabbi Avigdor Miller ztl explains the necessity of Gehinnom in Judaism, and for a functioning society, mainly from a logical perspective. Of course Rav Avigdor Miller brings many proofs from Pirkei Avot, the Gemara and the Rambam, but without fear of retribution in the Next World, Rav Miller says, it gives wicked people no reason to be law abiding members of society. In the past generations the worst criminals were kept in check to a large degree by their fear of being punished in Gehinnom, but now without fear of punishment in Gehinnom, they commit the worst crimes including murder.
Rabbi Miller says, the first thing to acquire in serving HaShem is to fear Him, then work on loving HaShem. And even the greatest Tzadik must always maintain Yiras Shomayim.
