tough and tender

I appreciated these words from a commentary on this week's Torah reading (the weekly Jewish lectionary, which covers all of Genesis through Deuteronomy each year).  As Rosh HaShanah is the New Year in the Jewish calendar, the Torah reading is just finishing up.  ("HaShem" is a way of referring to God, literally meaning "the Name," ie.  YHWH, or Yahweh - blessed be his name).

Too often, parents and teachers alike resort to harshness in dealing with their children and we adults also too often do the same with each other.  It seems that the art of gentleness and the virtue of kindness has gone out of fashion in our day.  A pity!  Where would we be if Hashem stopped being gentle and kind toward us?  Are we not to treat others the way He treats us?

When Joshua was told to be strong and courageous, Moshe was instructing him first in how to deal with his own people; and only afterwards, with the nations whom they would dispossess.  True strength has no need to be harsh; for true strength is best expressed through gentle firmness.  Genuine courage is not arrogant; it is firm but in a kindly way.  It knows nothing of sarcasm, hostility and agitation.  True biblical strength and courage are expressions of a selfless love toward those whom we serve.  This was the message to Joshua - and indeed, it is the message to us this week.

Of course, "Joshua" was Jesus' name technically.  (The one coming from Hebrew, the other from the Greek, hence the difference).  And Jesus perfectly incarnated this beautiful call to relate as God does...

The whole comment is at

http://www.lekarev.org/torah/Vayelech68.htm