Elements of Greatness

The ubiquitous question. Where does greatness stem from? The comfortable answer: we don't have an answer. It comes from a God-given talent combined with circumstance.

The true answer: greatness is a result of hard work. Constant persistence with tenacious fervor yields results regardless of one's background or identity. But, perhaps there is more?

In the Talmud we find a pattern that is difficult to ignore. A pattern that reveals some insight into this allusive dilemma.

"And he(Cesar Nero) converted. R' Meir descended from him." (Gitten 56a)

"The descendants of Sisro studied Torah in Jerusalem. The descendants of Sanherev taught Torah in public. Who were they? Shamaya and Avtaleon(They, in turn, were the teachers of Hillel and Shamai. See Pirchei Avos(1:12 "Hillel and Shamai received from them etc."), Yuma(35b "And he(Hillel) lay on the mouth of the skylight in order to hear the words of the living God from the mouths of Shamaya and Avtaleon etc."), and the Rambam in his introduction to the Mishnah Torah where he counts Shamaya and Avtaleon amongst the scholars to be in line of the Oral Tradition-Torah Shel Baal Peh.) The descendents of Haman studied Torah in Bnei Brak. And the decedents of that evil person(Nevuchunetzar-Rashi) God wanted to bring under the wings of the Divine Presence."
 
(Sanhedrin 96b)

"Balak merited that Rus was his decedent." (Ibid 105b)

The dredges of human historical record have a dichotomous propensity to produce greatness. At first glance this is puzzling. We strive so hard to provide a positive experience, a meaningful education, and a stable background for our children. Alas, the key element, of evil, is lacking. Make no mistake we don't condone evil action for the purpose of a positive results. Subscription to the motto of Van Bismark that the ends justify the means is erroneous because at any given moment we follow the dictates of the Torah. The inter-play between conflicting interests and order of precedence is a fascinating topic in itself that, with God's help, we be able to write about in the future.

But the question that we posit is what is it about evil that sometimes yields such wonderful results?

The answer can be found in the following statements of the Talmud.

"Be careful with the uneducated because the Torah comes from them." (Ibid 96a)

"Be careful with the poor because the Torah comes from them." (Nedarim 81a)

It's  basically common knowledge that diamonds are formed as a result of tremendous pressure of about 400,000 pounds per square inch(PSI) under the earth's surface between 80 and 100 miles deep.

Also the Zohar is quoted as stating that from the deepest darkness come the greatest light.

The pressure of being poor and the darkness of being evil are sometimes the cauldrons that produce the greatest success stories. When one's back is against the wall, when the challenge knocks us down to the mat, then the opportunity to fight back and persevere presents itself.

Hard work and circumstances play a large role in the achievement of greatness. But, perhaps, the greatest contribution is with your 'everday ordinary challenge.'