Ometz lev, the Hebrew word for courage, literally means strength of heart. A strong, brave heart is needed whenever one tries something new by conquering one’s fears or stands up for one’s beliefs. Childhood is typically a time of many fears, with these fears morphing and changing each time a child enters a new developmental stage.
Children benefit greatly from reading about heroes who courageously face their fears. Inspiration is found in the lives of people such as Moses, Judah Maccabee, Queen Esther and contemporary heroes such as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who stand up to ruling powers despite their fears. Kids and adults alike can find comfort in discovering that individuals of all ages experience fears at various points in their lives.