Last night was at a concert featuring Neshama Carlebach and Etti Ankri. The music was wonderful, although I am suffering from a bad case of seasonal allergies, so did not get into it as much I usually would. Etti reminded the audience of the story of Reb Zusha, which Neshama's late father, Rav Shlomo Carlebach, used to tell all the time. The story goes like this:
Reb Zusha was on his death bed, and tears were streaming down his face. "Why are you crying?" asked his disciples. "If God asks me why I wasn't like Moses or Maimonides," answered Reb Zusha, "I'll say, I wasn't blessed with that kind of leadership ability and wisdom." But I'm afraid of another question," continued Reb Zusha, "what if God asks, Reb Zusha, why weren't you like Reb Zusha? Why didn't you find your inner being and realize your inner potential? Why didn't you find yourself? That is why I am crying."
Yesterday began the days of Purim (more spread out this year because the Sabbath pushes off the celebrations to Sunday/Monday). Purim is all about being true to yourself. It's an incredible story, urge you to open up a Bible and read the Book of Esther. Bottom line, at a certain climactic moment, Esther is called upon by Mordechai (seems to be her uncle, not clear) to be true to herself, to speak truth to power, to achieve the impossible. "Simply" by speaking, Esther manages to change the fate of the Jewish people as well as the Persian empire.
Here in Israel, and especially in Jerusalem, I always tell people to try and be the best they can be, the truest expression of their ethics and values. There are unlimited excuses/challenges/brutal realities that get in the way...but it's the struggle that is so important.
The connection to start-up culture (which is best represented in Israel, with all of its good and bad) is that every individual in a start-up needs to be the best THEY can be. Don't try and copy someone else, don't try to do it the way "that other company" does it. Start-up life is about creativity, not about being a copy cat.
May we take a moment during the celebration of Purim, to reinforce our dedication to being they best we can be, each of us in his or her unique way.
PURIM SAMEACH!!!!
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