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Chanukah: Internal and External Heroism

When we think of heroism, we often imagine a strong, Superman-like figure, carrying off the victim of injustice to safety. Or we might imagine someone engaged in war over a period of time. Some are heroes in a day. They commit one act that is so outstanding that it forever identifies them as heroes. Others become heroes over the course of time, slowly gaining the world's admiration for their persistent battle.

To use a baseball analogy, some players are heroes forever because of one home run they hit at exactly the right moment, while others are lauded for their consistency, getting a hit each game or playing for seasons on end without a day off.

In Judaism, we surely have these types of heroes. The Torah greats, from Moshe to Joshua, from David to Judah Macabi, were heroes over a period of time. Their heroism lies in their many achievements over the course of a lifetime. Then there were heroes of the day. Yael, otherwise an ordinary woman, became a hero one day as she lured the enemy general into her tent and then killed him. A similar story is told of Judith, relating to the story of Hanukkah.

But there is another kind of heroism, which lies neither in the one-time deed nor in the sustained Superman like activity. This kind of heroism is a uniquely Jewish heroism. It is the quiet, unknown heroism of the many, not the privilege of the few. It is a heroism of the heart, not the heroism of deed. Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, of blessed memory, referred to this as the heroism of Jacob, who won the title Israel through his internal struggle with himself. The greatest feat a person can perform is to control one's own evil inclination, to be master over oneself. The Rabbis said it in the Ethics of the Fathers (4,1) so many years ago. Ben Zoma said, "Who is a hero? One who controls his inclination."  At first glance this seems like a mere truism, but it is actually an attempt to counter a feeling one can easily get that true greatness lies only with the famous, the grand, the privileged. Ben Zoma tells us that true heroism lies in our reach, if we can attain it. It won't gain us any fame or glory, but it is the greatest form of achievement.

To do what's right, in the face of our own internal struggle to do otherwise, is the greatest test we are faced with, and it is in the successful resolution of this conflict that true greatness lies. Rabbi Soloveitchik said that the name Israel, one who has fought that internal battle and emerged victorious, is the essence of what a Jew is. We constantly have to battle our own needs and wants against the heavy and numerous demands of the Halacha. 

On Hanukkah, we pay tribute to all forms of heroes, from the grand, public figure of Judah and Yochanan Maccabi to the quiet, one-time heroes such as Hannah and her sons who were martyred rather than eat forbidden foods, to the one-time act of Judith. But the soft candles remind us of that deeper form of heroism that the Torah not only praises but also demands. It is the continuing flame of that which is good, flickering despite the many powerful winds of Greek culture and influence that constantly attempt to put it out. It is the triumph of both the national heroes and of the nation of individuals to which we pay tribute.

Our congregation is blessed with a heroic leadership who have a vision and unending energy to help our Synagogue in countless ways. We are also blessed with a membership, who in their own quiet way contribute to the synagogue, either by their contributions, volunteering, or by attending our minyan. We salute and hail all of the champions of our congregation for their marvelous contributions in so many different ways.

Rabbi Joel M. Finkelstein