Our faith tradition prides itself on the values or middot that we hold dear and use as our guideposts along life's path. In times of darkness we look to the value or characteristic of ometz or ometz lev, which literally means “strength” or “heart-strength.” Even if we think of ourselves as fearful, afraid or anxious, our tradition teaches that we all have the ability to to access the quality of ometz lev to pull ourselves out of the dark and narrow places.
Does hardship give us Courage?
Adonai watches over the stranger; He gives courage to the orphan and widow, but twists the path of the wicked.
ו וכמו שהיה מחכמת האלוה להסב אותם במדבר עד שילמדו גבורה
It was the result of God's wisdom that the Israelites were led about in the wilderness until they acquired courage.
- Do you agree with the sources, does hardship give you courage?
- What are some difficult things you have been through, and how did they change your outlook?
- What is the danger in this philosophy?
Strength = Courage??
(9) “I charge you: Be strong and resolute; do not be terrified or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
May Adonai grant strength to God's people; may Adonai bless God's people with peace.
- In both of these sources "strength" and "courage" seem to be connected? What is the relationship between the two characteristics?
- In Joshua, we are told that God is with us. How might this offer one who is afraid some comfort? What does this look like today? Where do you seek God for strength and courage?
Naming our Fear is Courageous... and leads us towards Healing
Rabbi Mimi Feigelson
(Mashpiah Ruchanit (spiritual mentor) of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles)
We are often in a rush to get out of uncomfortable situations. We want to solve problems as quickly as we can so that we need not dwell on them. But it appears that bracketing our stay in Mitzrayim with the word 'Mitzrayim' functions as an invitation to actually sit in this space. It seems that the only way out of this constricted state of being is by going through it, not by circumventing it! We can't overcome limitations that we've encountered unless we are willing to own our part in the situation: to be able to name and face our pain, to be able to claim our suffering, to be able to hold our loss. It is only then, when we see ourselves in the light of our darkness that we can truly leave it behind as we walk towards new horizons. We are being asked to dwell in our pain and discomfort so that we will be able to indeed move forward. Without this process, it would appear that we will never be free from that which enslaved us - we would carry it with us, creating new Mitzrayims wherever we journeyed next. We won't be able to truly leave it behind us. We need to be able to name the emotion so that we can find a remedy to heal it.
- Some commentators ask, "Why did the Israelites need to stay and witness the Plagues? Why couldn't they be taken out first?" Given Rabbi Feigelson's commentary - why was that important?
- The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert before God gave them entrance into the promised land, does this commentary above help you understand why?
- How do we live in our "Mitzrayim" now? How is that courageous and how can it be healing?