Rabbi Yochanan said, From when they are tempered in the furnace. Resh Lakish said, From when they are burnished with water.
He said, "Are you like Bar Lakish? "Bar Lakisha - when I would believe a thing would challenge me with 24 objections, and I would answer him with 24 answers, which led to a fuller understanding of the law. And you say, 'there is a beraita that supports you?!' Do I not already know how good my belief is?!"
He went out and tore his clothes and he cried and said, "Where are you Bar Lakish? Where are you Bar Lakish?" And he shouted until his mind left him.
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Why does Resh Lakish lose his strength when he exits the river?
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How might the ideas about physical strength in this midrash, for better or worse, inform or illustrate our ideas about Jewishness and physical strength?
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Has there ever been a time you’ve really been in your Jewishness and also your physical strength?
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Have you ever had to give up part of your physical strength or body in order to be part of a Jewish space? Have you ever given up a part of your Jewishness to be in a community of physical practice? How do you feel about it?
Jacob and Esau:
(27) When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the outdoors; but Jacob was a mild man who stayed in camp.