Deuteronomy 16:18−21:9
D'var Torah By: Yael Splansky reprinted from ReformJudaism.org
"Fear Not"
Moses prepares his people for the battle
awaiting them on the other side of the Jordan River, saying: "When you
[an Israelite warrior] take the field against your enemies, and see
horses and chariots-forces larger than yours-(lo tira) have no
fear of them, for the Eternal your God, who brought you from the land of
Egypt, is with you. Before you join battle, the priest shall come
forward and address the troops. He shall say to them: ' Sh'ma, Yisrael! Hear, O Israel! You are about to join battle with your enemy. Let not your courage falter. (Al tir'u!) Do not be in fear, or in panic, or in dread of them' " (Deuteronomy 20:1-3).
Not long before, the Israelites received such a command-"Al tira-u"-at the shore of the Red Sea as Pharaoh's army of horses and chariots were advancing (Exodus 14:13). Not long after, Joshua will receive the same command-"al tira"-as he prepares his army for the battle of Jericho (Joshua 8:1). But this mitzvah of courage is not reserved only for the battlefield.
In moments of personal transition or trial, God commands individual men and women not to let their fears get the best of them. When Avram sets out into unchartered territory as the first to enter into a personal covenant with God, he is told, "al tira." God reassures him with promises of protection and progeny (Genesis 15:1-5). When Hagar was about to give in to despair, an angel of God calls out, Al tir'i, "Have no fear" and rescues her son Ishmael from a deadly thirst (Genesis 21:17). When Isaac sets out from the security of home and does not know where the road may lead, God says, "al tira," and reasserts the blessings promised to his father Abraham (Genesis 26:24). When the elderly Jacob prepares for his journey down to Pharaoh's palace to be reunited with his son Joseph after twenty years of separation, God encourages him, al tira, "fear not" (Genesis 46:3). In every generation-from Ruth to David to Daniel-so many of our biblical ancestors heard these words just when they needed them most. Just when they felt most vulnerable, most alone, so many of our prophets heard and delivered God's message of hope: "Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be frightened, for I am your God" (Isaiah 41:10).
Continue reading.
Not long before, the Israelites received such a command-"Al tira-u"-at the shore of the Red Sea as Pharaoh's army of horses and chariots were advancing (Exodus 14:13). Not long after, Joshua will receive the same command-"al tira"-as he prepares his army for the battle of Jericho (Joshua 8:1). But this mitzvah of courage is not reserved only for the battlefield.
In moments of personal transition or trial, God commands individual men and women not to let their fears get the best of them. When Avram sets out into unchartered territory as the first to enter into a personal covenant with God, he is told, "al tira." God reassures him with promises of protection and progeny (Genesis 15:1-5). When Hagar was about to give in to despair, an angel of God calls out, Al tir'i, "Have no fear" and rescues her son Ishmael from a deadly thirst (Genesis 21:17). When Isaac sets out from the security of home and does not know where the road may lead, God says, "al tira," and reasserts the blessings promised to his father Abraham (Genesis 26:24). When the elderly Jacob prepares for his journey down to Pharaoh's palace to be reunited with his son Joseph after twenty years of separation, God encourages him, al tira, "fear not" (Genesis 46:3). In every generation-from Ruth to David to Daniel-so many of our biblical ancestors heard these words just when they needed them most. Just when they felt most vulnerable, most alone, so many of our prophets heard and delivered God's message of hope: "Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be frightened, for I am your God" (Isaiah 41:10).
Continue reading.
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