Netzach - Victory

The fourth week of Sefirat Ha’Omer, the counting of the days between Passover and Shavuot, is dedicated to the Sephirah of Netzach – Victory. (For an explanation of the sephirot, please click here).

Victory may seem a strange term to use when talking about spiritual concepts, but the victory that is called netzach is that of a person overcoming obstacles to spiritual growth. For instance, a tight-fisted person who gives charity above and beyond what might be expected has overcome a spiritual blemish within him/herself. This is true victory.

When speaking of the victory of netzach, it is important to remember that these victories are almost unnoticeable as one goes through life. It might be making the choice not to gossip, or deciding to start learning about Jewish traditions…these are the kinds of small victories that often lead to upholding the eternal traditions of Judaism.

Additionally, God is referred to as the “Netzach Yisrael” by the prophet Samuel, who then defines this term by saying that God will “not regret, for He is not a human who regrets” (I Samuel 15:29). Samuel uses the term netzach, relating to both the “victory” that is called netzach and to its alternate meaning of “eternity.” Making choices that do not lead to regrets (overcoming the obstacles to spiritual growth) results in decisions that affect eternity.