It is in the Tanakh that we find the foundation of blessing for Israel, where in Genesis chapter 3 Adonai calls to our father, Abram saying,“ My heart ' s desire is to make you into a great nation, to bless you, to make your name great so that you may be a blessing.”( Gen. 12:2 TLV) Within the context of this declaration of the Abrahamic covenant at Genesis 12:1-3, five-times God promises blessings for Israel, while ensuring curses( v. 3b) to those who oppose, oppress or harm Israel. From this we are reminded of not only the Lord’ s great love for His people, but also how He will judge without mercy those who harm the apple of His eye.( Zech. 2:8-9) From a practical perspective, the words of the Abrahamic covenant is both a defense and mandate for moral and transformational leadership, and a reminder of our mission as the Lord’ s beloved is to be proclaimers of both blessings and justice! We are called above all things to be a blessing!
Interestingly enough, this was recently echoed by Israeli actress Gal Gadot( Wonder Woman) on March 4th when she spoke after receiving Anti- Defamation League International Leadership Award in stating,“ It is time to pass onto our children a love of who they are. So, who are we? We the Jewish people are an ancient people, with an ancient story, and an ancient homeland. We are the people that celebrate life! We work to see a better and more peaceful future, we [ are the ones who ] challenge hate when we face it, but we do it with love, while
always striving to make the world a better place.”
In recent years, transformational leadership has emerged as a popular theme for both business schools, fields of ministerial training and both Graduate and post-Graduate programs. Although many would like to“ credit” the concept of transformational leadership studies to those like James MacGregor Burns, I believe that the real source is Adonai and His calling to Abraham, national Israel and to us( both Jewish and Gentile believers) to be the sh’ lichim of blessings to all of creation. For this reason, Justin Irving and Mark Strauss aptly note how in a biblical context that,
“ Servant leadership [ as embodied in blessing ] is focused on people rather than on tasks, then valuing and appreciating those people should be among the highest priorities of the leader.”
A P R I L 2 0 2 5 • T I K K U N A M E R I C A R E S T O R E | 1 3