Ever feel like you're in a room full of people, and everyone’s just... stuck? Like no one knows what to say or do? It's a surprisingly common feeling, isn't it? Well, let's explore what the ancient rabbis thought about this, specifically as it relates to acts of kindness and community leadership.
The Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Song of Songs, dives deep into this idea. Rabbi Ḥanan of Tzippori offers a powerful image connected to this state, using the metaphor of a "lily among thorns".
He starts with a house of mourning. Imagine ten people gathered, heavy with grief. Tradition dictates certain blessings should be recited for the mourners, but… no one steps up. Maybe they’re uncomfortable, maybe they don’t know the words. It happens. Then, someone finally breaks the silence, offering the necessary blessings. Rabbi Ḥanan asks, to what is this person comparable? To “a lily among the thorns.”
He repeats the analogy in another setting: a wedding feast. Joy and celebration fill the air, yet again, no one seems able or willing to recite the blessings for the bridegrooms. Silence hangs heavy, until one brave soul speaks up. Again, the comparison: "a lily among the thorns."
And finally, the synagogue. Ten people present, but none able to lead the prayers, to "pass before the ark" and repeat the Amida (the central prayer in Jewish worship) as the leader. (That is, to lead the congregation in prayer). But one person does. And this person, too, is like "a lily among the thorns."
What’s so special about this image? It's about standing out, about offering something beautiful and necessary in a difficult situation. It's about courage, and maybe a little bit about competence.
Now, Rabbi Elazar’s story takes this concept a step further. He goes to a certain place, and the community asks him to lead the prayers. He demurs, claiming he’s not wise enough. They then ask him to "pass before the ark" to lead the service, and again, he refuses. The community is shocked. “Is this Rabbi Elazar? The one we praise? We call him ‘our master’ for nothing!”
Imagine the pressure! He turns pale and seeks out his teacher, Rabbi Akiva. “Why do you look ill?” Rabbi Akiva asks. Rabbi Elazar explains his embarrassing situation. Rabbi Akiva, ever the compassionate teacher, offers to teach him. "Would my master like to teach me?" he asks Rabbi Akiva. And Rabbi Akiva agrees!
Later, Rabbi Elazar returns to that same place. This time, when asked to lead the prayers, he does so flawlessly. When asked to "pass before the ark," he confidently steps forward. The community is astonished. “Rabbi Elazar has been fortified!” they exclaim, and they call him “Rabbi Elazar the strong.”
What a transformation! It wasn't enough to be a lily; he had to learn to be one. He needed the knowledge and confidence to step up. And he learned it from his teacher!
This story is so powerful because it highlights the importance of both individual action and communal responsibility. Rabbi Elazar's initial reluctance shows us that even learned individuals can feel inadequate. But his willingness to learn from his teacher, Rabbi Akiva, demonstrates the power of humility and the importance of mentorship.
We see the importance of being prepared to act when needed. Rabbi Yona understood this so well that he would teach his students the blessing of the bridegrooms and the blessing of the mourners "so that they would be prepared in every circumstance."
So, what can we take away from this? Perhaps it's a reminder that we all have the potential to be that "lily among the thorns." It might require us to step outside our comfort zones, to learn new skills, or to simply be brave enough to speak up when others are silent. And, maybe most importantly, it requires us to be open to learning from others, just like Rabbi Elazar. Who knows? Maybe you're the "lily" someone else is waiting for.