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92NY’s Goldman Center for Children and Family provides an exceptional array of programs designed to support children at every stage of their development.
at The 92nd Street Y, New York. Supported by The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
Oct 28, 1993
Though the name Samson is commonly associated with gibor, hero, we don’t find such a connection made in the Torah or the Talmud. Generally, the Jewish idea of a hero as set forth in the Talmud refers to someone who overcomes his or her instincts. This also defines a Nazirite such as Samson. Yet Samson’s life seems not to follow along these lines, especially regarding fighting and women. Furthermore, he is always alone, never with companions or an army. His passions take him to a failed marriage in Gaza, a place that seems destined to always be a problem for Israel—though I hope it does not continue to be so. These same passions lead to the tragic betrayal by Dalila, and the resulting lost of strength, blinding, and imprisonment. At the end, however, Samson undergoes a change. Enlisting the help of a child companion, he uses the occasion of his execution to act of behalf of Jewish honor. His way of death brings a Kiddush Hashem, a sanctification of God’s name, and protects Israel for another twenty years. We too can earn such protection if we are deserving.
Explore The Book of Judges, 13-16 on Sefaria, a living library of Torah.
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