The sword and the book

One of the most prestigious monikers that can be bestowed upon a person today is that of an ‘influencer.’ An influencer is someone whose suggestions regarding fashion, home décor, culinary selections, and virtually every other lifestyle choice imaginable, help shape the behaviors and attitudes of the public. If someone is fortunate enough to have their finger on the pulse of popular trends, they not only can make a small fortune doing so; they also are said to be powerful individuals.

What is it that makes a person influential? Is there a magic ingredient or a certain personality trait which confers power? The second-century Talmudist, Rabbi Elazar, teaches us something fascinating about the source of power and influence in this world: “The sword and the book came down from heaven wrapped together” (Devarim Rabbah, 4:2) .

Two “gifts” were handed to humanity as means of influencing others, commanding respect, and exhibiting strength–the book and the sword.

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik noted that the book and the sword represent the two modes of leadership that we have witnessed throughout history. Some leaders choose the sword–fear-mongering and demanding, through brute force, that others capitulate to their will. Other leaders, though, lead by way of the book–instead of frightening, they inspire; instead of spreading darkness and removing freedom, they share light and respect personal autonomy.

While it may seem that the sword is mightier than the book, history teaches us that this isn’t so. While the former is more effective in the short term, we ought to remember that the despot who leads by propagating dread ceases to be an ‘influencer’ the moment their weapons are outmatched by a more powerful ruler. The book, on the other hand, continues to inspire, long after it has left the hands of the author.

Soren Kierkegaard once stated:

“The tyrant dies, and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins.”

I would suggest that the author is even more influential than the martyr.

How do we lead and influence others? By fear mongering or by inspiring? Do our children listen to us because we are louder and bigger than they are, or do they follow us out of admiration? Do our employees get things done because we’ve subjected them to threats or because we’ve provided them with a valuable education? Do we light a fire under others, or in front of them?

In 2008, I had the privilege to lead a small group of Chicagoans on a mission to Israel. It was in the midst of a particularly difficult time for the Jewish state which was reeling from the most recent terrorist attack in library of the Jerusalem seminary, Mercaz Harav Kook.

We met with a security guard, Yitzchak, who helped bring an end to the brutal attack by stopping the terrorist. Unfortunately, his heroic actions did not come soon enough, and eight innocent students with their lives ahead of them were cut off in their prime. Yitzchak showed us one of the books, a volume of the Babylonian Talmud, that had absorbed one of the bullets intended for its target.

After pausing for a moment or two in silent reflection, we opened the book up and began studying the holy words of our Sages contained within that volume.

I understood in that moment, that the greatest power we have at our disposal, the most influential thing we possess is the written word, passed down generation to generation, from parent to child, and from teacher to pupil.

The book was far more enduring than the bullet that penetrated it. Indeed, we, and all people of the book, long for the day when ” Torah will come forth from Zion, and the word of God from Jerusalem .” And on that day the nations ” shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.” (Isaiah 2:3-4)

Rabbi Shaanan Gelman is the Senior Rabbi of Kehilat Chovevei Tzion in Skokie, and President of the Chicago Rabbinical Council.