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Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

Throughout this site I may use any of three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2“Mechon-Mamre.org (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the JPS-1917 is my preferred version!

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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“A-Must-Read-Study”

  18 Things Mentally Strong People do!

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

On this page I decided to cover something that many have trouble with, and that is handling difficult situations correctly, rather than ending up in a mental mess! The four separate sections on this feature has as follows: 1 “Five Key Habits”, 2 “Four core Lessons”, 3 “18 Principles”, 4 “Leaders and their mental toughness”.

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1. Five Key Habits:

Below I have placed five key habits of mentally-strong Hebrews and others, and each is illustrated by a verse from our beloved Tanach:

Please Note: All verses in this study are from JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh.

1... Embrace courage in the face of fear:

Mentally strong people don’t let anxiety paralyze them, they take action anyway trusting they’re not alone.

“Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them; for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”. Deuteronomy 31:6. (JPS-1917 version).

2... Cultivate resilience through hope:

They bounce back from setbacks by anchoring themselves in a long-term purpose.

But they that wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary …” Isaiah 40:31. (JPS-1917 version).

3... Focus on inner character, not outward appearances:

“Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him; for it is not as man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart”. 1 Samuel 16:7. (JPS-1917 version).

4... Practice gratitude daily:

A positive mindset is a muscle you build through thanksgiving.

“Shout for joy to יְהוָה - the LORD, all the earth! … Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; give thanks unto Him, and bless His Name. For the LORD is good; His mercy endureth for ever; and His faithfulness unto all generations” Psalms 100:1,4-5. (JPS-1917 version).

5... Prioritize rest and inner calm:

Mentally strong people know that regular renewal of body and mind fuels resilience.

“In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; for Thou, LORD, makest me dwell alone in safety”. Psalms 4:9. (JPS-1917 version).

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2. Four core lessons:

Below are four core lessons regarding emotional self-control from the wisdom of Mishle ShlomoProverbs:

1 Self-control outshines brute strength:

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city”. Proverbs 16:32. (JPS-1917 version).

True power isn’t measured by how hard you hit but by how well you master your impulses and anger, especially in moments of provocation.

2. Guard your inner “city” with vigilance: 

“Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint”. Proverbs 25:28. (JPS-1917 version).

Lack of emotional discipline leaves your city exposed, your thoughts, words and actions spill out unchecked, inviting chaos. Building walls of self-restraint keeps you safe and cantered.

3. Mind your words, speech as it reflects the heart:

“He that spareth his words hath knowledge; and he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment”. Proverbs 17:27. (JPS-1917 version).

Before blurting out that cutting remark or snappy comeback, pause. A well-timed silence often does more good than a thousand hot words.

4. Answer gently to defuse anger: 

“A soft answer turneth away wrath; but a grievous word stirreth up anger”. Proverbs 15:1. (JPS-1917 version). 

When tempers flare, choose measured and kind responses, this simple habit cools tensions and opens the door to true resolution.

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3. Now read all 18 Principles:

1...   They move on. They do not waste time feeling sorry for themselves.

2...   They keep in control. They will not give away their power.

3...   They embrace change. They will welcome challenges.

4...   They stay happy. They do not complain. They do not waste energy on things they cannot control.

5...   They are kind, fair, and unafraid to speak up. They do not worry about just pleasing other people.

6...   They are willing to take calculated risks. They weigh the risks and benefits before taking action.

7...   They invest their energy in the present. They don’t dwell on the past.

8...   They accept full responsibility for their past behaviour. They accept full responsibility for their past behaviour. They don’t make the same mistake over and over again.

9...   They celebrate other people’s success. They do not resent that success.

10... They are willing to fail. They do not give up after failing. They see every failure as a chance to improve.

11... They are willing to fail. They don’t give up after failing. They see every failure as a chance to improve.

12... They are prepared to work and succeed on their own merits. They will not feel that the world owes them anything.

13... They have staying power. They do not expect immediate results.

14... They evaluate their core faith beliefs. Thus they will expend and modify the situation as is correctly needed.

15... They expend their mental energy very wisely. They will not spend time on unproductive thoughts.

16... They think productively. They replace negative thoughts with productive thoughts.

17... They will tolerate discomfort. They accept their feelings without being controlled by them.

18... They will reflect on their progress every day. They take time to consider what they have achieved where they are going, and will go well!

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4. Finally - Leaders and their mental toughness:

Below we will see how four of our leaders in the Tanakh actually modelled mental toughness when everything was on the line:

Moshe – Moses’ Intercessory resolve:

Moshe was faced with a people in a full-blown rebellion at the foot of Mount Horeb, but Moshe did not panic, he prayed, begging אֱלֹהִים - Elohim for help?

Nehemiah’s: Vision - driven grit:

When he heard Jerusalem’s walls lay in ruins, Nehemiah fasted, prayed and then mapped out a blueprint. He secured royal backing, marshalled the people, and held firm against external attacks and internal slander.

Esther certainly had what we might call calculated courage:

With her people under death sentence, Esther called for a fast, and she then approached King Xerxes without official permission. Her “If I perish, I perish” moment wasn’t blind bravado but faith-fuelled risk-management.

David: A shepherd’s tenacity:

After the Amalekites raided Ziklag, David “encouraged himself in יְהוָה - the LORD”, sought Divine direction and led a victorious pursuit to reclaim all that was lost even sharing the spoils to keep unity strong.

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Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts” Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

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