Lesson 040 · posted Sun Sep 13 2026
Tired of Being Strong?
What Judaism says about being held: five ideas, each with its source.
5 things Judaism can teach us about being held. You were never meant to hold it alone. Moshe had Aaron and Hur. Find your two.
- 1
Even Moshe's arms got tired.
ויתמכו בידיו“Even Moshe's arms got tired.”Exodus 17:12
At the battle, Moshe's hands grew heavy — so Aaron and Hur held them up. — Exodus 17:12. The strongest leader in the Torah needed two people holding his arms.
- 2
Elijah said “enough.”
רב עתה“Elijah said “enough.””Torah
The prophet lay under a tree and asked to die: “It is enough.” — 1 Kings 19:4. God sent an angel with bread and water. Twice. Then let him sleep.
- 3
Two are better than one.
טובים השנים“Two are better than one.”Ecclesiastes 4:10
“If one falls, the other lifts him up; but woe to one who is alone when he falls.” — Ecclesiastes 4:10.
- 4
Fear not. I strengthen you.
אמצתיך“Fear not. I strengthen you.”Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you.” — Isaiah 41:10. Four verbs. None of them are yours.
- 5
Strong doesn't mean unsupported.
נבל תבל“Strong doesn't mean unsupported.”Exodus 18:18
Yitro to Moshe: “You will surely wear out.” — Exodus 18:18. The fix wasn't more strength. It was more people.
You were never meant to hold it alone.
Moshe had Aaron and Hur. Find your two.
Save this for the week you can't — and send it to someone who's holding everyone else up.
Sources
- Exodus 17:12 on Sefaria
- Torah
- Ecclesiastes 4:10 on Sefaria
- Isaiah 41:10 on Sefaria
- Exodus 18:18 on Sefaria
Art on the slides: Jacob van Ruisdael, Landscape with a Village in the Distance (1646) · Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée), Sunrise (possibly 1646–47) · François Meuret, Portrait of a Woman, Said to Be Marie de Mautesson (ca. 1830) · Meyndert Hobbema, Woodland Road (ca. 1670) · Francesco Guardi, Venice from the Bacino di San Marco (ca. 1765–75) · Johan Christian Dahl, Copenhagen Harbor by Moonlight (1846) · Joseph Mallord William Turner, Whalers (ca. 1845). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, open access.