Professor Argues True Growth Emerges in Winter's Quiet
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Professor Noah Dan-Picard argues that the period after the High Holidays, particularly Cheshvan and Kislev, is crucial for deep, foundational growth, akin to trees developing roots in winter. He emphasizes focusing on daily life, family, and community during Cheshvan and highlights Hanukkah in Kislev as a symbol of adding light. Dan-Picard believes that by recognizing the nation's resilience and capacity for mutual support, Israel can achieve significant future flourishing.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Professor Noah Dan-Picard states true growth begins in winter, rooted in unseen foundations.
- Cheshvan is a time for grounding in daily life, family, livelihood, and community.
- Kislev, despite longer nights, is when Hanukkah candles are lit, symbolizing added light.
- The professor criticizes documentaries that draw offensive comparisons between Israel and its enemies.
- He calls for a return to routine, emphasizing consistent daily matters over exceptional events.
- Dan-Picard believes Israel can achieve great flourishing by recognizing its deep strengths and resilience.
Professor Noah Dan-Picard suggests that the period following the High Holidays, specifically the months of Cheshvan and Kislev, is a time of profound, though often overlooked, significance. He posits that true growth, whether in nature, the individual, society, or the nation, begins in the winter, rooted in unseen foundations, much like trees develop their roots during colder months.
Dan-Picard describes Cheshvan, sometimes called Mar-Cheshvan due to its lack of holidays, as a time for grounding and focusing on daily life: family, livelihood, study, community, and stability. Following this is Kislev, when the nights lengthen and darkness increases, yet it is the time for lighting Hanukkah candles, symbolizing the addition of light and gratitude for miracles.
He draws a parallel between individual introspection and national soul-searching, especially relevant during election periods. The professor criticizes contemporary documentaries about Israeli wars that, he claims, draw offensive comparisons between Israel and its enemies, to the satisfaction of those adversaries.
Drawing lessons from nature, Dan-Picard explains that while trees may appear dormant above ground, their roots are deepening below. He sees similar forces at work within the Israeli people, evidenced during wartime by the resilience of soldiers and civilians, and the younger generation's readiness to defend Israelis. This period, between Sukkot and Tu B'Shvat, teaches that significant growth doesn't only occur during spring's bloom but originates in winter's hidden roots. He calls for a return to routine, emphasizing that the consistent, everyday matters should guide individual and national life, rather than exceptional events.
Dan-Picard concludes that by listening to the deep strengths of the Israeli people, their resilience in difficult times, their ability to rebuild and thrive even amidst war, their capacity for mutual love, and their recognition of soldiers as protectors, a great flourishing can be achieved in the coming year and beyond.
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