Middah of the Month
A Project of the Education Department, Beth El of Montgomery County
Month:
‫ כִּ ְסלֵו‬Kislev
‫בוּרה‬
ָ ְ‫ג‬
Middah:
Ge-voo-rah Heroism
Rosh Chodesh: December 1, 2016
Dates for Middah Focus: November 29- December 29, 2016
Overview: Gevoorah (‫בוּרה‬
ָ ְ‫ )ג‬is often translated as “might.” However, might in its own right is not seen
as a positive virtue in Jewish tradition. Rather, Judaism values might that is applied to a positive purpose.
Accordingly, the translation of Gevurah as “heroism” is far preferable to “might.”
Kislev is, of course, a great time to consider the middah of Gevurah. The Maccabees are among the
foremost figures in our history who are described as ‫בּוֹרים‬
ִ ִ‫ג‬. Not mighty warriors, especially when compared with
the force of the Greek Empire, the Maccabees’ heroism lay in their determination to stand up for their ideals, not
allowing themselves to become intimidated.
However, the concept of Gevurah is not just a once-a-year motif. In the Amidah, which is recited three
times a day (or four on Shabbat and holidays) we describe G-d as “‫לְ עוֹלָם‬
‫גִּ בּוֹר‬, eternally heroic.” The ‫בְּ ָר ָכה‬,
which is actually known as ‫בִּ ְרכַּת גְ בוּרוֹת‬, enumerates G-d’s heroic characteristics as “ ‫ְמכַלְ כֵּל חַ יִּ ים‬
,‫סוּרים‬
ִ ֲ‫וּמ ִתּיר א‬
ַ ,‫ וְ רוֹפֵ א חוֹלִ ים‬,‫ סוֹמֵ ְך נוֹפְ לִ ים‬,‫ ְמחַ יֵּה מֵ ִתים בְּ ַרחֲ ִמים ַרבִּ ים‬,‫בְּ ֶֽ ֶחסֶ ד‬
‫ישׁנֵי עָ פָ ר‬
ֵ ִ‫וּמ ַקיֵּם אֱ מוּנָתוֹ ל‬
ְ , Graciously sustaining life, mercifully giving life to the dead, supporting the
fallen, healing the sick, freeing the imprisoned, and keeping faith with the deceased.” This clearly illustrates the
Jewish perspective on what constitutes a hero. Insomuch as we as Jews were given the charge to be G-d-like in our
conduct, we,too, are expected to make efforts to demonstrate these traits. Those efforts, too, constitute heroism.
Another text that provides insight into the Jewish concept of heroism is Pirkei Avot 4:1. “ ?‫איזֶ הוּ גִ בּוֹר‬
ֵ
.‫ הַ כּוֹבֵ שׁ אֶ ת יִ ְצרוֹ‬Who is heroic? One who conquers his/her own impulses.” Thus, in the eyes of Rabbi Ben
Zoma, anyone has the potential to be a Jewish hero. This, however, does not mean that heroism is easy to achieve.
It requires a concerted effort at self-control. This could apply to a wide array of behaviors including a tendency to
anger, spreading gossip, or acting with disrespect towards others. It could also be applied to efforts to change bad
habits such as biting one’s nails A Jewish hero may be tempted towards negative behaviors, but zealously
harnesses the impulse to act upon the temptation.
Key Vocabulary: ‫ גִ בּוֹר‬Gee-bore Hero
‫ִה ְתאֲ פְּ קוּת‬
Heet-ap-koot Self-Control
Gevoorah in Thought and Deed: Suggestions to Guide JIJ Entries (Don’t feel limited by these!)
Describe a situation in which you or someone else defied peer pressure, tried to “lift” someone one who was
“fallen,” either literally or figuratively, helped someone who felt “trapped” by either academic or social difficulties, or
tried hard to control your own negative tendencies.
2. Create a “gallery” of people whom you regard as heroes, and write a sentence or two explaining each choice.
3. Make your own piece of art incorporating one of the quotes listed above, in either Hebrew, English, or both.
Additional Resources: http://jewishpathways.com/files/Strength.pdf
http://www.shalomlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Demo-Lesson-Plan_5.3.1.pdf