Today is the second day of counting. Mystically it is seen as Gevurah b’chesed, discipline in lovingkindness. But another translation of gevurah is strength. It takes strength to be a Jew. It takes courage and lovingkindness. We need both. Courage does not necessarily mean being brave and racing into a burning building. Courage comes from the Latin cor and the French coeur for heart. It means something like the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Physical courage is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.
We went on a brief Passover hike yesterday, wandering without knowing where we wanted to go or how long it would take us. We were rewarded by seeing some early spring flowers, just peaking through the still brown, dead lives. Snow drops I believe. It takes tremendous courage and faith to stick your head up and bloom at this season. It takes strength and courage and discipline to stick your head up and say what needs to be said.
Tonight I will go to a women’s seder, an opportunity to gather around a seder one more time, this time to hear specifically about the role women played in birthing the Israelites out of Egypt. Some will tell the stories of their own mothers and grandmothers. The women of the Torah showed great gevurah b’chesed. Miriam, Shifra, Puah, Zipporah, Batya all spoke up when they needed to. Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel, Esther and Ruth, Deborah, all showed courage when confronted with challenges. Part of what allowed them to succeed is that they had discipline, the other meaning of gevurah. They knew when enough was enough, when to push back and when to take on more. I hope I have that trait.
Earlier this week I was told it takes courage to be a rabbi. I bristled when I was told that because I am not sure that I have anything special. I don’t see myself as especially courageous, just as me. But i join a long line of strong and courageous women. The matriarchs, Beruria, Gluckel of Hamln, Marionbetty and Nelle.
How do you show strength, courage, discipline in love?