Last week we talked about the blessing that Moses and then G-d gave to Joshua, chazak v’emetz, be strong and courageous. This week that phrase repeats and our chumash, Etz Chayim translates it as “Be Strong and Resolute.” What is the difference between courage and resolute? 

Courage: the ability to do something that frightens one., “strength in the face of pain or grief
It comes from the Latin, for heart so it is about living with heart.  

In discussing the Cowardly Lion, a blog on cultivating courage reminds us that the Wizard tells the lion that “You are a victim of disorganized thinking.” The blog then goes on to say: 

“Courage is an inside job. The medal the lion had wrapped around his neck is an outside symbol. It will really do nothing to help him develop the inner strength he needs to be more brave. Courage requires us to look deep within our soul, to be uncomfortable, and to make a heart decision.” 

Towards the end of the movie, Dorothy encounters Glenda, the good witch:  

“Oh, will you help me? Can you help me?” Glenda responds, “You don’t need to be helped any longer. You’ve always had the power to go back to Kansas,” proclaims Glenda. 

“I have?” a surprised Dorothy asks. 

“Then why didn’t you tell her before?” the Scarecrow asks angrily. 

Glenda responds, “Because she wouldn’t have believed me. She had to learn it for herself.” 

“And so it is with courage. We’ll never know how strong and courageous we can be, or already are, without learning it for ourselves. Courage and believing in ourselves requires us to rearrange our disorganized thinking. They require us to examine our core and our heart and not look for something from the outside to change us. Courage requires us to act. Others can encourage us but no one can help us move from fear to courage. We must do that ourselves. That is a heart decision.” http://cultivatecourage.com/3-lessons-on-courage-from-the-wizard-of-oz/  

Resolute, on the other hand, means:
admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering., “she was resolute and unswerving” 

The Torah Study Group decided that we need to be both courageous and resolute. 

 
Then something interesting happens in our portion: G-d addresses all the people—plural, Hizku v’imtzu. Be strong and courageous. Be strong and resolute. And do not be afraid. 

Be not afraid, I go before you always. G-d urges the people to not be afraid.
Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav taught us and we sing: “All the world is a narrow bridge, the important thing, the central thing is to not be afraid.” Kol haolam gesher tzar me’od. V’haikar, lo lifachad klal. 

All of us…be not afraid. G-d promises this over and over again that G-d will go with us. All the way back in Exodus, after the Golden Calf, G-d promises Moses that G-d will go with him and lighten his burden and give him rest.  

Isaiah seems to say it over and over again. Perhaps that is why we read so much Isaiah between Tisha B’av and Rosh Hashanah, in order to reassure us, give us strength and courage. 

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah, 41:10) 

The Psalms echo the theme: 

Perhaps the most famous Psalm, Psalm 23 reminds us: 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” 

In the Psalm for the Days of Repentance we are told:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
“I sought the Lord, and G-d answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to G-d are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed (Psalm 34:4-5) 

As we move closer and closer to Yom Kippur this is the time period called Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, the days of fear and trembling. We stand before G-d waiting to be sealed into the Book of Life for a blessing. That is enough to cause fear. The process of introspection, of return, repentance and renewal is hard work. But perhaps we should not be afraid. G-d will go with us in this work. 

In the Book of Lamentations, and repeated in the Torah service and throughout the High Holy Day liturgy we are told. Return to us and we will return. Renew our days as before.  G-d goes with us in the process. We are not alone. Be strong, courageous. Be resolute. And be not afraid.  

For all those who were in Hurricane Ian’s path and for all those who worried about people who were:

Holy One of Blessing, give strength to the crews working night and day to restore power, the medical personnel helping the hurt and injured, the police and fire crews who keep people safe, the charitable organizations that are working tirelessly to help the helpless, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless. 

Comfort those who lost family members, beloved pets, homes and possessions. Give strength and courage to all who serve, and inspire all of us to be our highest selves, serving the needs of those who are in pain. 

May we be blessed to respect the awesome power of your creation, to understand that nature can be stronger than us. Bless us to remember that the planet depends on us to care for it, that life is both beautiful and precious. Remind us when we pray to you that it is in our hands to protect and care for one another, during good times and bad. Amen. Rabbi Jennifer Singer