Hallmarks of a Hero

 On the Seventh Day of Pesach, we note the heroes that emerged on that very first Shevii shel Pesach at the shores of the Red Sea. Though he is not mentioned explicitly in the text, the most famous hero of today’s story is Nachshon ben Aminadav.

            The Heroic Imagination Project is a non-profit organization that focuses on teaching people to become heroes, or as they put it “To teach individuals the skills and awareness needed to make effective decisions in challenging situations.” The Project identifies 4 key elements of heroism:

It's voluntary

It is done in the service of people or communities in need

It involves some type of risk, either physical, social, or in terms of quality of life

It is done without the need for recompense or material gain

The actions of Nachshon at the sea encompass all of these elements.

            Jewish tradition offers two other traits of a hero. Pirkei Avot teaches: A Hero is one that conquers his/her natural inclination. Instead of heroic action always being found in grandiose initiative, Jewish heroics can be found in holding ourselves back. As Rav Soloveitchik wrote in an essay (Catharsis pg 42):

“The heroic person, according to our view, does not succumb to frenzy or excitement. Biblical heroism is not ecstatic but rather contemplative; not loud but hushed; not dramatic or spectacular but mute.”

            Avot D’Rav Natan (23:1) offers a second characteristic of being a Jewish hero: A hero is one that works to change enemies into friends. Conventional wisdom sees heroes as acting independently on behalf of others. The Jewish view is that a hero is one that broadens the boundaries of community. By turning enemies into friends heroes value inclusivity, thereby increasing the size and quality of the community.

There are two characters that we read about on Seventh Day of Pesach that act heroically.

We read how Moshe takes the bones of Joseph out of Egypt. The Midrash highlights the fact that while the rest of Bnai Yisrael were busy looting Egypt, Moshe was busy fulfilling the nation’s promise to their ancestor Yosef. Moshe’s heroism is expressed not only through what he was doing, but also through what he restrained himself from getting involved in. I can imagine that no one would have gained as much pleasure from looting Egypt as Moshe; the man who was doubted by his nation, by Pharaoh, by the Egyptians and even by himself. Yet he holds himself back in fulfillment of the Jewish definition of a hero- one who is kovesh et yitzro.

           Second, we read how Miriam led the Jewish women in song: Shiru LaHashem Gi Ga’o Ga’ah, Sus V’rachvo Rama Vayam. It may seem that Miriam is leading the women in a reiteration of the first line of Shirat Hayam. However, the first line is in the singular, while Miriam’s song is in the plural. Perhaps the Torah is noting the heroic nature of Miriam’s song, whereby she includes all of the women. Miriam encourages them all to sing. She is demonstrating a type of heroism that not only seeks to make enemies into friends, but strives to ensure that everyone is maximizing their potential in the community.

            Each of us can and must be a hero. Sometimes we may have a Nachshon moment, when we are called upon to do something extraordinary or unpopular. If/ when that happens let us learn from Moshe and Miriam about Jewish heroism and be inspired to do the right thing.