Living Lives of Heroism

 On the Seventh Day of Pesach, we note the heroes that emerged on that very first Shevii shel Pesach on 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. We have all heard how Nachshon took the initiative to enter the waters when everyone else was reluctant to do so. As the waters reached his nose, God initiated the miracle that split the Sea. According to our Rabbis (Bamidbar Rabba 13:9) Nachshon’s name is derived from Nichshol, which means stormy waters.  Nachshon acted like a hero, because a hallmark of a hero is one who takes initiative when no one else is willing to; a hero acts in a way that is necessary even when it is not popular. 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:

1)      It's voluntary 2) It is done in the service of people or communities in need 3) It involves some type of risk, either physical, social, or in terms of quality of life 4) 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 more traits of a hero. Pirkei Avot teaches: Ayzehu Gibor Hakovesh et yitzro: 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 (whose yahrzeit was this past Wednesday) 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.”

If we want to do something but we know that it is bad for someone else or for our soul and we refrain from doing it - that’s not just righteous- that’s heroic. For instance, when someone says something to you that you construe as insulting or insensitive, and you “hold your tongue” – you have acted heroically.  Avot D’Rav Natan (23:1) offers a second characteristic of being a Jewish hero: Mi Sheoseh Soneh Ohavo: a hero who 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.

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 we hope that Hashem gives us the strength to do the right thing. But until that opportunity presents itself, let us remember the hallmarks of the everyday hero: Kovesh Et Yitzro, i.e. exhibiting self-control. And Mi She’oseh Soneh- Ohavo: concerning ourselves with others, even those on the periphery, and appreciating the strength of a diverse community. By doing so, let us realize that instead of undertaking heroic action sporadically, Shevii shel Pesach teaches us that we have opportunities on an ongoing basis to live our lives as heroes.