Anatomy-of-Courage
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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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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction: Regarding the ‘Anatomy of Courage’ (‘Anatom’ya shel O’metz’).
In the four verses
we will be looking at today, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
speaks directly to Joshua as he stands on the precipice of leadership following
the sad Loss of Moshe. The passage centres on a central theme: true strength is
not merely ‘military’ or ‘physical power’, but the spiritual fortitude anchored
in the eternal study and practice of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s
law!
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Let
us look and learn from Joshua chapter 1, verses 6 to 9:
1.
Verse 6: The Charge of
External
“Be strong and of
good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I
swore unto their fathers to give them”.
Hebrew Key Concepts:
חֲזַק
וֶאֱמָץ (Chazak v'Ematz): Chazak refers to
physical or operational strength (the capacity to take action), while Ematz denotes internal, emotional, and spiritual courage
(fortitude of the heart).
נַחֲלָה (Nachalah): Heritage/Inheritance. The connection to
the Avot (Fathers/Patriarchs) emphasizes covenantal
continuity.
Insight:
It should be noted
that this first call to strength directly addresses the physical charge of
leading the nation into battle and dividing the land. It reassures Joshua that
human leadership, when aligned with the Divine promise (shevua
/ oath to the fathers), will not fail!
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2.
Verse 7: The Charge of
Internal Discipline.
“Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do
according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee; turn not from
it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success
whithersoever thou g
Hebrew Key Concepts:
לִשְׁמֹר
לַעֲשׂוֹת (Lishmor La'asot):
“To guard and to do” - ‘Shamru’ (guarding) implies careful
study and vigilance, while ‘asot’ implies ‘practical
execution of the Mitzvot’ (commandments).
לֹא
תָסוּר (Lo Tasur):
Unwavering commitment; refusing to deviate either to leniency or strictness
beyond what the Torah prescribes.
תַּשְׂכִּיל (Tashkil): From ‘sechel’
(wisdom/discernment), translated here as “good success” implying that true
prosperity is the natural result of Divine wisdom.
Insight:
It is good to observe
that double emphasis (“Only be strong and VERY courageous”) shifts the focus
from ‘physical warfare’ to ‘spiritual fortitude’. The ultimate bravery is
remaining steadfast in adherence to the Torah despite ‘heavy burdens’ and ‘distractions’.
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3.
Verse 8: The Eternal
Flame of Torah Study.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all
that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy ways prosperous, and then
Hebrew Key Concepts:
וְהָגִיתָ (Ve-hagita): From ‘Hagah’,
which means to ‘mutter’, ‘recite’, ‘contemplate’, or ‘vocalize continuously’. Our
Torah study in our tradition is an ‘active’, ‘vocal engagement’, not just a passive
reading.
יוֹמָם
וָלַיְלָה (Yomam
va-Lailah): “Day and night”. A Hebrew idiom
signifying absolute temporal continuity making learning ‘the steady heartbeat
of one’s entire existence’.
Insight:
It should be noted
that this verse establishes the foundational duty of constant Torah study. Even
when physical actions are limited, the utterance of sacred text (“shall not
depart out of thy mouth”) sustains the soul and connects one directly to the
Divine presence (Shechinah)!
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4.
Verse 9: The Promise of
Divine Presence.
“Have not I commanded
thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou
dismayed: for יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha is with thee
whithersoever thou goest”.
Hebrew Key Concepts:
הֲלוֹא
צִוִּיתִיךָ (Halo Tziviticha): “Have I not commanded you?” A rhetorical reminder
that Joshua’s mandate carries Divine authority; he does not walk alone.
לֹא
תַעֲרֹץ
וְלֹא תֵחָת (Lo Ta’arotz ve-lo Techat): “Do
not be terrified and do not be shattered/dismayed”. Techat
comes from a root meaning to be ‘broken in spirit’.
עִמְּךָ (Imcha): “With you”. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence is contextual and personal, accompanying the
individual through every trial (“whithersoever thou goest”).
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My Closing Message:
It is worthy to note
that יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha in the closing
phrases provides a foundation for all preceding courage. Fear vanishes not
because the trial is easy, but because the ultimate Companion (יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha) walks alongside
you through every step of the journey.
May the words of our
Holy Torah bring you ‘comfort’, ‘strength’, and ‘continuous spiritual vitality’
- ‘the spirit and soul’, to your heart today!
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Remember
what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of
our prophets...
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... “Life!”
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