Ozer Yisrael Bigvurah (2)

Every morning brings new opportunities, but also new challenges. We never know what temptations or difficult situations we may encounter throughout the day. How can we prepare ourselves to make the right choices when those moments arise?

There is a powerful lesson hidden in the berachah of "Ozer Yisrael Bigevurah" — "Who girds Israel with strength." Putting on a belt symbolizes a soldier girding himself in preparation for battle. Just as a soldier prepares himself before entering the battlefield, we too must prepare ourselves for the daily struggle against our yetzer hara (Kesav VeHaKabbalah, citing Iyun Tefillah)

The Chovos HaLevavos relates that a righteous man once encountered soldiers returning triumphantly from battle, carrying the spoils of their victory. He told them, "You have returned from the smaller battle. Now prepare yourselves for the greater one!" When they asked what he meant, he explained that the greatest battle is the struggle against our own yetzer hara (Shaar Yichud HaMaaseh, ch. 5).

This is the strength we thank Hashem for each morning in Ozer Yisrael Bigevurah: the inner courage to overcome temptation and make the right choices. As we begin each day, we can ask Hashem to help us use this strength to face whatever challenges lie ahead.