There is a holy boldness, without which it is impossible to receive the Torah. As our Sages said, “The bashful person does not learn”!
This article is a continuation of my previous article that explored the word עז, strength specifically as it appears in Psalm 59. The shoresh (root word) עז (oz) is an adjective meaning strong, powerful, mighty, keen. Across traditional Torah literature and in Rabbenu Nachman’s Likutey Moharan, the word contains two opposites — holy boldness and bold brazenness, עַזֵּי דקדושה and עַזי פָּנִים (azut panim and azut d’kedushah).
In the Chumash, we see: The Lord is my strength and might; He has become my deliverance. This is my G-d, and I will enshrine Him; the G-d of my father, and I will exalt Him (Shemot 15:2).
The word appears elsewhere in Psalms: I rely on God, my deliverance and glory, my rock of strength; in God is my refuge (Psalm 62:8).
The Lord is my strength and might; He has become my deliverance (Psalm 118:14).
Across traditional Torah literature and in Rabbenu Nachman’s Likutey Moharan, the word contains two opposites — holy boldness and bold brazenness!
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him. I was strengthened, and my heart exulted, so I will glorify Him with my song (Psalm 28:7).
In the Talmud: When Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi prayed, he said after his prayer, “May it be Your will, O Lord, my God, that You will deliver me today from impudent people and insolence” (Tractate Shabbat 30b).
In the liturgy:
For we are not so brazen-faced (Viddui prayer).
Behold the G-d who gives me triumph! I am confident, unafraid, for G-d, the Lord is my strength and might, and He has been my deliverance (Havdalah prayer recited at the end of Shabbat; Isaiah 12:2).
Strengthen us, our Strength, we beseech You (Yom Kippur Neilah service).
עז (oz) is an adjective meaning strong, powerful, mighty, keen!
In Likutey Morahan, the difference between the two opposites — holy boldness and bold brazenness, עַזֵּי דקדושה and עַזי פָּנִים (azut panim and azut d’kedushah) are most directly explained in these two quotes:
Whoever is brazen-faced, certainly, the feet of his ancestors did not stand at Mount Sinai (Nedarim 20a). We find, therefore, that the brazen-faced have no share in Torah (Likutey Moharan 147).
There is a holy boldness, without which it is impossible to receive the Torah. As our Sages said, “The bashful person does not learn” (Avot 2:5). They also taught, “Why was the Torah given to Israel? Because they are bold” (Beitzah 25b) (Likutey Moharan 30:8).
All the above quotes warrant detailed study. More can be found in Likutey Moharan Likutey Moharan 11:4, 22:4, 22:4, 50, 67:3, 153, 271. All these teachings are truly transformational. Use these words and thoughts to seek fresh paths of Holy Boldness.
