A special Hineni for Bibi and DJT
The Hineni prayer is recited by the cantor (hazzan) on Yom Kippur before the Musaf Amidah. The prayer embodies humility, dependence on God, and the awesome weight of responsibility in leading others.
On Yom Kippur, this moment is made even more powerful by the cantor’s movement. He begins chanting not from the pulpit but from the back of the congregation, and in a trembling voice admits:
“Here I am, poor in deeds. trembling in the presence of the One who hears the prayers of Israel. Even though I am unfit and unworthy for the task, I come to represent Your people Israel and plead on their behalf.”
Step by step, he approaches the Aron Kodesh. His strength to lead comes not from claiming perfection or authority, but from showing his vulnerability before God and the people.
The Hineni teaches that leadership begins with humility. Even the one honored to stand before God on behalf of the people must first lower himself, and acknowledge his flaws.
Imagine if our leaders embraced this lesson.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump, men of great skill, determination, and influence, often stand at the front without ever taking those steps from the back. They project power, but rarely humility. Leaders who rely only on power stand apart; those who show humility stand with their people.
On this Yom Kippur, as Jews around the world hear the words of Hineni, perhaps we can offer a special prayer for Bibi and DJT: that they may discover the wisdom of the cantor’s walk.
May they learn that the mark of true leadership is not how high one rises above the people, but how faithfully and humbly one walks among them.
