Ometz Lev: Courage/Strong heart
Exploring the mussar soul trait of Ometz Lev || Courage.
Ometz Lev (אמץ לב) Courage
You’ll find many sources that proclaim that the heart in Jewish thought is not just a seat of emotion, but also wisdom.
Ometz Lev (אמץ לב) courage isn’t about the absence of fear, it’s about doing what needs to be done - even when you are afraid. Having a strong heart might be the point of all mussar practice. We practice, so that when the time comes we have the strength. The heart is literally a muscle, so by strengthening it both physically and spiritually we are ready for what comes.
Forward and upward, strong heart. (Alan Morinis)
While working through the mussar map laid out by Alan Morinis in Every Day, Holy Day, I realized the connection between ometz lev (אמץ לב) courage/strong heart with the Chachamah (Widom Keeper) and Ohevet (Lover). Kesharim K’doshim Mussar plays with the dynamic tension between Netivot and middot that sit on opposite sides of the wheel of the year, like the Chachamah and the Ohevet.
Being courageous requires wisdom. You have to know when to be afraid and when to not let that fear stop you. And love - well that is total courage because you are opening your heart to someone and risking being hurt.
True courage consists of seizing the hand of one about to fall or lifting someone who has already fallen. (Rabbi Marc Margolis)
“Cultivating ometz lev means applying our energy to protect and stand up for those who are at risk, including ourselves. We practice ometz lev whenever we leave our comfort zone, take an unpopular stand, expose our vulnerabilities, speak the truth, confront others, risk embarrassment or personal loss, or intervene on behalf of those unable to do so for themselves.” (Rabbi Marc Margolis)
Never backward - always forward. Forward. Always. (Luke Cage, Marvel Comics)
What stands in the way of doing the right thing?
It’s not fear - it’s a weak “heart.”
We’re all afraid of something. If you’re not then you might want to work on anavah (ענוה) humility. Being fearless isn’t something to praise - if you are fearless then there's no bechirah (בחירה) choice point moment - remember those? Bechirah moments are when you find out how much you’ve grown spiritually - when you are confronted with a difficult moment and have to actually make a choice.
A teaching I love is that being courageous, having a strong heart, being willing to move forward through your fear, actually increases individual and collective options.
In Mussar Yoga: Blending an Ancient Jewish Spiritual Practice with Yoga to Transform Body and Soul, Edith Brotman reminds us about a midrash told about the Exodus; that the sea didn’t part until one man, Nachshon showed ometz lev and stepped into the sea up to his neck. Seeing his options, maybe he just figured it was worth checking how deep the water really was, instead of just standing on the shore waiting for the Egyptian army to come. His action didn’t just save himself, either, it expanded the options for everyone.
Courage expands possibilities in the face of seemingly limited options. (Edith Brotman)
Neither the Mussar teachers of old (or I) are encouraging reckless behavior, but sometimes we need to push through fear to do what’s right - to create new options for ourselves and others. Just think about how many people use fear to limit our options and control us. Imagine what might happen in more people acted with ometz lev. And remember, sometimes the most courageous action is to stand still. Maybe rushing in is the right action, but maybe standing witness is your way of practicing ometz lev.
We shall be known by the company we keep
By the ones who circle round to tend these fires
(Karisha Longaker of MaMuse)
This brings me to my last thoughts about ometz lev (at least for this post); who do you surround yourself with? Do the people in your life help strengthen your heart? Do the people in your life help you act with ometz lev? Do you listen to people who expand possibilities for yourself and others? Do the art and popular culture that you take in inspire you to be bold and push through fear? You are not alone in all of this, and behirah moment here — are you willing to walk away or speak up when those around you act out of fear and limit you or others?
Again - this is not about recklessness. Sometimes limits are helpful, but do they help you find new possibilities while helping you see those limits or just shut you down? Surround yourself with people who are truly going to help you be the best person you can be. As it is taught in Pirkei Avot 1:4: “Make your home a meeting place for the wise; sit in the dust of their feet; and drink in their wisdom thirstily.” (Translation, Rami Shapiro - Ethics of the Sages)
Bringing the wise into your home takes courage, for they will challenge all you hold dear. (Rami Shapiro commentary on Pirkei Avot 1:4)
You made it to the end. What are your thoughts on Ometz Lev (אמץ לב) courage?