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Hanukkah’s hidden heroes – The Jerusalem Post

Published

6 days ago

December 31, 2024

Non secular narratives are redolent with tales of management, leaders, inspiring moments, and, in fact, religion. But, regardless of my very own private observance and selection of apply, I’ve at all times discovered essential and motivating classes throughout the spectrum of beliefs and within the tales of all.

Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Native American: I’ve listened to and studied the chronicles, origin tales, and lesson fables of all, and located solace, hope, motivation, and generally only a good previous heat smile.

On a snowy mountain prime with a member of the Sioux Nation, every of us chanting our personal liturgy however in wonderful concord; within the Grand Mosque in Dubai, listening to the decision to prayer; within the Vatican with the pope, discussing the results of social media; in a church in Harlem, misplaced within the rhythm of the second; or in a temple in Bangkok, letting my thoughts go to the silent sound of my private mantra.

Every event was particular, and made extra so by my associates and guides who have been with me and the ideas they shared earlier than and after. Every expertise added to my understanding of the world. My tolerance. And sure, humility, as I noticed simply how a lot connects us and the way little really separates.

Humility is a key management trait, as I’ve written about many occasions, and conceitedness is the nice separator between actual leaders and mere energy trippers. The “l” that begins the phrase chief says all of it.

L – Study: Leaders are at all times studying. They’re at all times open to all. Their humility is rooted in realizing that they don’t know all of it, they don’t have all of the solutions, nor do they assume they ever will, however they are going to set the tone for all of us, encourage us, and consider the long run and what is perhaps vital, even when they aren’t certain. Studying is about hope; it says there’s extra to return.

All of which leads me to Hanukkah, the Jewish vacation we’re celebrating this week, and a narrative my late father, a rabbi, liked to inform.

Hanukkah is a vacation of lights. Each evening over a complete of eight, we mild candles in an ascending crescendo, starting with one, that culminates with a full eight on the final evening.

The military of Judah the Maccabee. (credit score: Wikimedia Commons)

The celebration is in commemoration of the victory of a ragtag indigenous militia over the Seleucid Greek military who have been spiritual oppressors – limiting, limiting, and making an attempt to get rid of a lot, if not all, of the Jewish custom.

However there’s a facet story that’s linked to the lights themselves. When the Jews got here again into their holy Temple and cleared out the idols and different symbols of Greek rule and faith, they’d no oil to relight the huge candelabra as the entire oil had been defiled.

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That’s, no oil till they discovered a small hidden flask that gave the impression to be sufficient possibly for a day, actually not sufficient to final till the messengers they despatched out might deliver again sufficient of a provide.

But, what might they do? They lit the Menorah, and miracle of miracles, it lasted eight days and nights… You get the remainder.

A brand new perspective

It’s an amazing story. Miracles are at all times enjoyable. However my father checked out it another way.

You see, there are numerous heroes on this story – generals, troopers, excessive monks, and others – however in his view, the actual hero is at all times ignored.

We do not know who it was, however somebody had foresight, imaginative and prescient, and management knowledge to know that at some point the Temple could be reconsecrated. So, because the idols went up and the Jewish presence was erased, that individual, whom we by no means meet or hear about, hid a flask of oil for a greater future.

And right this moment, we dispel the darkness of hatred and repression with mild… not by brandishing weapons.

So, there you might have it, my vacation share.

One closing thought. A verse from the attractive and universally significant vacation music written by my pricey buddy Peter Yarrow and sung by the legendary Peter, Paul and Mary:

Mild one candle for the power that we needTo by no means turn out to be our personal foe;Mild one candle for individuals who are suff’ringA ache they realized so way back;Mild one candle for all we imagine in,That anger not tear us aside;And light-weight one candle to bind us togetherWith peace because the music in our coronary heart!My vacation want: Let anger not tear us aside…Be a frontrunner.

The author is a world model builder, disaster whisperer, international influencer, writer, full of massive concepts, with a start-up ethos, at all times placing individuals first.