Be strong and Couragous!

This phrase occurs several times toward the end of torah (Duet. 31), the first collectively said to the Israelites by Moses when he tells them he is not crossing the Jordan River and going into Israel with them. The next two times are more personal exaltations to Joshua, Mose's successor who was no doubt reconsidering this new job. It is often used in the Books of Prophets, as it is in modern time, to inspire soldiers going into battle.

I first paid attention to this phrase when I was in Tel Aviv with my mom and saw a stack of bumper stickers with this phrase on them in a little t-shirt shop. I bought every one of them for a friend's temple sunday school class, and of course for myself and friends. I reflect on this phrase often. I have seen strength and courage in the actions of others. I reflected on this phrase as I watched my mother face and goto her death. I don't know if I am strong and courageous but I wear it on my skin as I reminder that I would like to be and as a reminder thay many who went before me were. So this will be a place to express myself, confuse you, leave messages as I travel and try to live a strong and couragous life. Living strong and couragous is a far cry from only the soldiers definition. It means to me the courage to live your life on your own terms, believe what you choose, reject what you will, and not apologize for the result.