The Jewish definition of strength has nothing to do with bench presses or push ups...though those might help someone get into shape, or at least develop some seriously bulging musculature! (Not that I, Rabbi E, would know...talk to me about treadmills, not barbells.) In Jewish ethical thought, "strength" is defined as the ability to control or check our potentially destructive and damaging impulses, desires, passions. "Ben Zoma says: "Who is strong? One who can subdue an impulse." [Pirkei Avos: 4, 1] It's a hard job, and one to keep us busy our whole lives, that's for sure. But someone--or rather, every single one of us--has to try to do it. So my friends (and, yes, myself): BE STRONG, and let's exercise that muscle of self-control!

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