Lamed Vavnik Convention

Now that the political parties have finished their conventions, I would like to propose a different kind of nominating convention. In Jewish legends Lamed Vaviniks (hidden righteous ones) are  36 people of great humility, piety, righteousness, and compassion who keep the world (some of the legends focus on the Jewish diaspora) from falling into chaos at any given time. They don’t know who each other are and usually don’t know they are one either. When one dies, God appoints a replacement. Considering that you may be a Lamed Vivnik is an incentive for upright living, knowing that the welfare and maybe even the survival of the community or even the world depends on you. The forces of chaos, of course, are looking to remove or disqualify Lamed Vavniks. The concept comes from Genesis 18:26 in which Abraham appeals to God to spare Sodom if even ten righteous people can be found there. I am not an expert in Jewish mysticism or legends, so will not go into any further detail, but I think this gives you the idea.

When I did youth ministry, a Lamed Vavnik Nominating Convention was an exercise we used to prompt young people to consider the qualities of people they respected and to prompt them to aspire to for themselves. After explaining the Lamed Vavnik concept, each one was asked to think of someone they know personally they would nominate. Then they were each to give a brief nominating speech explaining why they considered this person as a candidate. After all the speeches, we had a discussion about why we respect certain people and how to cultivate such qualities in ourselves. 

I would venture to suggest that no Lamed Vavniks spoke at either political party's convention. The very public nature of politics is contrary to their essential hiddenness. And political dependence on self-promotion is contrary to their humility. Perhaps this year more than usual, the rhetoric of both parties warns that a victory for the other side bodes chaos for the nation and maybe the world. I know people in my circle of friends and family who are reading this believe that, some for one party and some for the other. My only observation is that whichever one you see as the threat, your party is not the protection against chaos. Neither party has the necessary virtues of Lamed Vavniks. 

That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t matter which party wins, or that I don’t care which party wins. The two parties are presenting sharply contrasting visions for the country. I am reminded of Goldwater’s ‘64 slogan that he used in a different way: “A choice not an echo.” My advice is to pay more attention to what each party and candidate presents as their vision than their critique of a caricature of their opponents. That doesn’t preclude vigorous debate and even criticism, but not with juvenile ridicule and name-calling. No matter which party wins, we must look elsewhere for protection from chaos. 

For years I have taught that when we make decisions based on fear, we almost always make the wrong decision. When 1 John 4:18 says, “perfect love casts out fear,” I believe it suggests that the opposite of fear is not courage but love, and the opposite of love is not hate but fear.  I’ll just let you ponder that for a bit. I believe Lamed Vavnik character affirms that love is more effective against chaos than fear.  I intend to decide how I will vote this year based on love rather than fear and urge you to do the same.

Regardless of how the election turns out, I encourage you to be alert for potential Lamed Vavniks whose hidden humility, piety, righteousness, and compassion keep the world from falling into chaos. Perhaps this is akin to how Fred Rogers’ mother told him to watch for the helpers in tragic, troubled times. Perhaps you could even write a brief nomination of someone and post it to encourage others, but I suggest not naming your nominee, after all Lamed Vavniks are the hidden righteous ones.