Can you explain the meaning of this Jewish proverb?

Yes. This maxim, first uttered by Rabbi Chanina in the Talmud, is very similar in meaning to the more famous maxim of Rabbi Akiva: "All is foreknown and free will is given." They both attempt to reconcile the concepts of an all-knowing G-d with human free will. In Judaism, these two concepts aren't mutually exclusive. Put slightly differently: all of our qualities are fixed by G-d, but our moral character results from our own choices.

From the saying of our sages that "all is in the hands of Heaven except for the fear (awe) of Heaven," we understand that man's free will relates specifically to his fear of Heaven, (of G-d).

The Hassidic masters explain the true meaning of "G-d fearing" as a fear of separation from G-d. Like a child who is afraid of being left alone by its mother. So, too, a healthy soul will recoil from certain actions out of the awareness that these actions will place a barrier between herself and her Beloved, between the "spark of G-dliness" it embodies and its Source.

HERE ARE SOME ANSWERS

"All is in the hand of heaven except free will. All is in the hand of heaven except tzinin pachin."

http://www.mesora.org/destinybashertii.html

Destiny, Bashert & other Assumed Truths

We cited the statement "All is in the hands of Heaven except the fear of Heaven" ... be explained as "in Heaven's hand" as well...Heaven meaning "natural law"

www.mesora.org/DestinyII.htm

All is in the hands of heaven except free will.except the fear of heaven

http://ohr.edu/special/books/faith.htm

Its consistent with the idea that there will be no tears or pain in Heaven. Also no fear. That God is the loving Father and in his presence we have nothing to fear. (but thats not what the ancient israelites thought) When God was going to give the 10 commandments, he was originally going to give them in person to the Israelites. When they got the base of the mountain and Gods presence was coming, they became extremely fearful and thought they may die simply being in the presence of God so they backed off and sent Moses up the mountain instead.

FEAR is the key word here. There is NO fear in Heaven. None !

Heaven is Oneness with all and fear is the belief that one is seperate.

this is a phrase used in the House of Representatives, when both parties can not reach an agreement on a bill.A house divided against itself cannot stand, the bill is not passable.

religious GOBBLEDEGOOK .. there is NO heaven

see http://www.inner.org/noahide/noach6.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=2ltwiijpny4C&pg=P...