Held on All Sides: Behar-Bechukotai
In the opening posuk of our Haftorah, Yirmiyahu offers a three-part description of the unique layers of Divine support: עֻזִּי וּמָעֻזִּי וּמְנוּסִי בְּיוֹם צָרָה, My strength, my stronghold, and my refuge on the day of distress. The Radak explains that these terms are not synonyms, but rather describe three distinct modes of reliance on Hashem.
- עֻזִּי – My strength: This refers to internal fortitude. Even before external challenges arise, it is Hashem who gives us the resilience to stand tall, the clarity to move forward, and the emotional and spiritual might to endure. The Malbim notes that this is the strength that resides within us — a kind of spiritual empowerment.
- וּמָעֻזִּי – My stronghold: A fortress is not inside us — it surrounds us. It is the structure that protects us when the storm hits. According to the Metzudat David, this term represents Hashem as our external protection, the One who shields us when threats encroach. It’s a relationship that is both personal and communal, as the fortress can house many, not just one individual.
- וּמְנוּסִי – My refuge: This final term represents escape. The Abarbanel emphasizes that when there is nowhere else to go, when human strategies fail, Hashem is the ultimate place of flight. He is not only our shield in times of danger, but the protective refuge we seek when our strength gives way.
Together, these three images form a framework of our trust. Hashem is with us in every layer of the struggle: strengthening us, shielding us, and sheltering us. Hashem is not only our inner strength, nor only our outer protection, nor only our last refuge — He is all three, always present, in every layer of our struggle.
In our world today, particularly in the aftermath of October 7 and the continuing pain and uncertainty, we connect deeply with the words of Yirmiyahu. We draw strength from the deep reservoirs of our emunah (עֻזִּי), we are held up by the unity and protections we build around ourselves (מָעֻזִּי), and when we feel we can run no more, we fall into the embrace of Hashem, our last and lasting refuge (מְנוּסִי).