Leaders Guide
The goal of this session is to help our Kadimaniks have a
deeper understanding of what it means to be a hero,
specifically a Jewish hero. The quotes on the handout are our
sources to deepen this understanding of a hero. The section on
the Macabees will bring the definitions of heroism to life and
will connect the session with Chanukah. Please make sure your
group is following the quotes and understands what they mean.
It is very important for the rest of the study session.
Jewish Concept of a Hero: Selected Textual Sources
Dina Shtull-Leber
He who wills something great is in my eyes a
great man – not he who achieves it. For in
achievement luck plays a great part. – Theodore
Herzl
(Theodore Herzl was the founder of the Zionist
congress and was one of the world’s first Zionists. He
did everything in his power to create a country for the
Jewish people but unfortunately passed away before the
state was created. Israel is in a large part the fruit of
Herzl’s labor, even though he was not alive when the
state was created.)
Who is a gibor (hero)? One who turns an enemy into a friend – Avot
d’Rabbi Natan A23
Who is a hero? One who overcomes his urges.
Mishna, Pirkei Avot 4:1
Money lost, nothing lost. Courage lost, all is lost. –Yiddish
proverb
To be is to stand for. – Abraham Joshua Heschel
To be is to do. – Myriam Mendelow, Founder of the Yad
Lakashish Workshop for the elderly in Jerusalem
The opposiTe of love is noT haTe; iT’s indifference. and, The
opposiTe of life is noT deaTh; iT’s indifference. Because of
indifference one dies before one actually dies. – Elie Wiesel
Hillel says: Do not abandon the community. In a place
where there is no man, strive to be a man. If I am not for
myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what
am I? If not now, when? – Mishna, Pirkei Avot 1-2
When God told Abraham that He intended to destroy Sodom
and Gemorah because of the cities’ many sins, the patriarch
argued with God, entered into negotiations with Him, and
called into question God’s moral character. “Shall not the judge
of the all the earth act justly?” – Genesis 18:25
The Jewish people, even since David killed Goliath, have
never considered youth a barrier to leadership. – John F.
Kennedy
Questions for discussion:
 Do you think everyone views a hero in these ways
(including non-Jews)?
 Do you think the expectations of what it takes to be a
hero are too harsh?
 Do you think that Jewish Heroes need to be “observant
or G-d fearing” people?
 Do you think someone is a hero based on their actions
or their successes?
Once you have read through these quotes, try to come up
with a definition of “Jewish Hero” as a group. You can
compare your definition with the definition of “hero” from
Merriam Webster’s Dictionary and see how the two differ.
Hero; 1 a: a mythological or legendary figure often of divine
descent endowed with great strength or ability b: an illustrious
warrior c: a man admired for his achievements and noble
qualities d: one that shows great courage
Because it is Chanukah it is important to remember the
heroic story of the Macabees and their incredible victory.
The Macabees were the first Jews to engage in ancient
“guerilla warfare.” Through this warfare the Macabees
brought about a rebirth of Jewish political and religious life
in the first century. Chanukah means dedication. On
Chanukah we remember and celebrate the miracle of the
rededication of the Second Temple as the Jews regained
control of Jerusalem. The Macabees were able to wage
difficult battles because their hearts and souls were fully
invested in their cause.
 Do you think the Macabees were heroes?
 What about their actions made them heroes?
 Can you think of modern heroes today like the
Macabees?
 What can we do in our daily lives to be more like these
heroes we have described?