Sanctified Boldness in Worship

היונים היה להם עזות ולכן מייחס להם הפסוק תואר נמר.

The Greeks possessed brazenness; therefore Scripture attributes to them the quality of a leopard.

The Sefat Emet begins by stating that Greek culture embodied a bold, brazen force, symbolized by the leopard in the verse.

וכאשר שמעתי ממו"ז ז"ל דכ' בי' מיעוהי וירכתי' די נחש.

And as I heard from my grandfather of blessed memory, it is written concerning him: “his inward parts and his thighs are of the serpent.”

The Rebbe repeats a teaching from his grandfather that links Greek brazenness to a serpentine spiritual quality.

דאיתא בגמ' מי שאינו כורע במודים שדרתו נעשה נחש.

For it is stated in the Talmud: one who does not bow during the ‘Modim’ prayer—his spine becomes like a serpent.

The Talmud associates refusal to bow in gratitude with a transformation into a snake, emphasizing the spiritual danger of pride.

לכן תקנו הודאה שאחר שיצאו מתחת יד יון היו יכולין לכרוע כראוי להשי"ת כו'.

Therefore they established the blessing of thanksgiving, for after Israel emerged from under the power of Greece they were able to bow properly before God.

Once freed from Greek influence, Israel regained the capacity for authentic humility and gratitude.

ויתכן עוד שבנ"י לקחו אח"כ מאתם מדת העזות שנצרך לעבודת ה' כמאמר הוי עז כנמר קל כנשר כו'.

It is also possible that Israel later took from them the trait of brazenness, which is necessary for serving God, as in the teaching: “Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle…”

The Sefat Emet suggests a redemptive transformation: Israel appropriated the positive form of boldness for holy purposes.

והם הכחות שנוטלין בני ישראל מהמלכיות.

These are the forces that Israel extracts from the kingdoms.

Each empire imposes a spiritual challenge, but Israel is able to elevate and redeem one of its core traits.

ועל מדת התחזקות הנ"ל תקנו הלל.

And for this trait of strengthened boldness they established Hallel.

Hallel expresses elevated spiritual courage and joyful praise.

ועל ההכנעה הודאה.

And for the quality of humility—they established the blessing of thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving embodies the vessel of submission and gratitude, complementing the boldness of Hallel.

Summary: The Greeks embodied brazenness, which Israel struggled under until they regained true humility and could bow properly. Afterward, Israel transformed that brazenness into a holy boldness used in serving God. Hallel corresponds to sanctified strength, and thanksgiving to humility.