Who is Superman?

By Rabbi Levi Cunin

"Who is the strong one? The one who conquers his inclinations,” Ethics of our fathers

In my experience I have found that often at the very center of relationship blowouts, someone felt the need to retort...immediately. Indeed, how often does one person’s impulsive reaction become the source of a great deal of shared long-term pain?

Growing up in a household filled with tremendous “kid energy,” I often heard my mother say, “Count to twenty-five first." In other words, think before you react! This advice generally worked. But what happens when the impulses are too strong? What happens when a person tries, but is repeatedly unable, to control impulsive behavior? The cost can be measured in damaged, and even lost, relationships and friendships.

In one of his many similes, the Baal Shemtov speaks of a person who is in his store minding his own business, when suddenly he hears suspicious sounds of an unlawful entry. There are two possible reactions. The shopkeeper could shout, filling the intruder with fear and hoping he runs away. Alternatively, the shopkeeper could prepare the chains, and when the thief enters, capture him to prevent future recurrences. The Baal Shemtov concludes that the righteous ones “capture” the dark side by harnessing and directing its negativity toward positive action. This is what we mean by bringing light into the world.

Perhaps we can understand the Baal Shemtov’s allegory as such: Our life can be seen like the person who is minding the store. The moments of impulse can be compared to the “unlawful entry,” which, if not stopped in time, will stir havoc into our life and the life of others. In stopping the “intruder” (the unwanted impulse) this one time by forcing him to flee, we have seized the moment. Perhaps we realized the need to stop the poisonous chain of reaction. Yet, we are left with no guarantee regarding future outbursts.

And then we could take the time to “capture” the intruder. That is, we could contemplate and internalize the source of the negative impulse, and the undesired results such impulses have thus far achieved. Then we would consider the possibility of using a countervailing strong energy, to generate positive momentum, one that brings the desired results, for the future.

We read about "The Man of Steel" -- the latest version of Superman, a saga created three quarters of a century ago by creative geniuses, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, born of Jewish immigrant parents. In each new iteration of this classic character, we find that Superman must possess more than great physical strength, which alone is inadequate. Even Superman requires a unique and extraordinary strength to overcome his impulses, in order to realize his true identity and his real purpose on earth and achieve his unique potential.

Thus, “one who conquers his inclination” brings about a transformational experience. This person overcomes the very energy which is the enemy of good and, in the process, converts this negative energy into a positive force for good. This is bringing about the light!

Superman is a memorable character who has populated comic books, radio, television and movies for seven decades. But each of us can be a Super Man.

Shabbat Shalom!