Dear Friends,
We like heroic figures. Especially in America, we love the stories of George Washington, Jesse Owens, Rosa Parks. Such outstanding people transcended their circumstances and raised the bar of potential.
So, too, in Jewish history. However, in Jewish history – real and fable – heroes also bore vital flaws with which they contended. (So, too, Jesse Owens and Rosa Parks, thought they faced systemic racism outside themselves, as opposed to internal flaws.) When we consider Moses, we recall his speech impediment; King David had impetuosity; Solomon wanted for personal, familial courage; Esther a lack of confidence.
This week, in the Haftarah, the additional reading from the Prophets conjoined to the Torah reading, we encounter the vignette of Samson in the Book of Judges. We remember Samson: when his hair was long, he enjoyed great strength to defeat the marauding Philistines, and to defend our people. And, the story continues, the Philistines discovered how to undermine and defeat Samson. They seduced him with Delilah, who discovered the secret of his strength: they cut his hair and blinded him while he was sleeping. Of course, the story concludes that, while blinded and shackled, Samson’s hair regrew and his sapped strength returned. He then positioned himself between the pillars of the Philistine Temple and pushed the great marble apart, toppling their Temple and killing himself, getting the proverbial final word.
Jewish Tradition is careful to render our heroes as human and flawed. Even when one possessed great strength as did Samson, or wisdom such as Solomon, one was lacking elsewhere. And, that defect would reveal itself in the most telling moments in each of their lives.
Thus, why was Samson’s strength linked to the length of his hair? It was because his parents committed him to a lifetime as a Nazir, a pietistic ascetic who refrained from alcohol and cutting his hair. It was their vow upon learning of their pregnancy, but it caused Samson to long for just what he could not have, and when Delilah enticed him with wine, he slept and the Philistines came and cut his locks.
As we look at ourselves, it is worthwhile to ponder our own limitations and when and how they reveal themselves. Each of us may have our own heroic superpowers, but they likely come with limitations or flaws. It is good to know both sides!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
We like heroic figures. Especially in America, we love the stories of George Washington, Jesse Owens, Rosa Parks. Such outstanding people transcended their circumstances and raised the bar of potential.
So, too, in Jewish history. However, in Jewish history – real and fable – heroes also bore vital flaws with which they contended. (So, too, Jesse Owens and Rosa Parks, thought they faced systemic racism outside themselves, as opposed to internal flaws.) When we consider Moses, we recall his speech impediment; King David had impetuosity; Solomon wanted for personal, familial courage; Esther a lack of confidence.
This week, in the Haftarah, the additional reading from the Prophets conjoined to the Torah reading, we encounter the vignette of Samson in the Book of Judges. We remember Samson: when his hair was long, he enjoyed great strength to defeat the marauding Philistines, and to defend our people. And, the story continues, the Philistines discovered how to undermine and defeat Samson. They seduced him with Delilah, who discovered the secret of his strength: they cut his hair and blinded him while he was sleeping. Of course, the story concludes that, while blinded and shackled, Samson’s hair regrew and his sapped strength returned. He then positioned himself between the pillars of the Philistine Temple and pushed the great marble apart, toppling their Temple and killing himself, getting the proverbial final word.
Jewish Tradition is careful to render our heroes as human and flawed. Even when one possessed great strength as did Samson, or wisdom such as Solomon, one was lacking elsewhere. And, that defect would reveal itself in the most telling moments in each of their lives.
Thus, why was Samson’s strength linked to the length of his hair? It was because his parents committed him to a lifetime as a Nazir, a pietistic ascetic who refrained from alcohol and cutting his hair. It was their vow upon learning of their pregnancy, but it caused Samson to long for just what he could not have, and when Delilah enticed him with wine, he slept and the Philistines came and cut his locks.
As we look at ourselves, it is worthwhile to ponder our own limitations and when and how they reveal themselves. Each of us may have our own heroic superpowers, but they likely come with limitations or flaws. It is good to know both sides!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
