Leaders are often both a reflection and a projection of those that they lead. A nation's direction, goals and values become manifest in its leaders, which is why so much of our tradition focuses on who is fit to lead the Jewish people.

As the Torah begins describing the transformation of the family of Abraham, Yitshaq and Ya`aqob into a nation, the Jewish nation, the concept of leadership begins to become more distinguished in the text. And with masterful artistry, the sages of the Gemara apply these concepts to the nation's historical realities, such as the drama of Hanukah, and then take both concepts and bind them intimately with the concept of Shabbat, and its taste of future redemption.

The true miracle of Hanukah is not that one small jar of oil, enough for only one day's lighting of the menorah in the Holy Temple, lasted instead eight days. That, as a miracle, is "small change" for G-d, to use the vernacular. Rather the true miracle was that the Hasmoneans lit the lamp, even though the situation was hopeless.

The lighting of the Menorah is a symbol of the entire Hasmonean revolt, for the "facts on the ground," were clearly against any success, let alone returning the crown of independence to the Jewish Nation. And yet, they revolted anyway, doing what they could, with what they had, and leaving HaShem, to bring them the rest of the way.

A Jewish leader needs to be connected intimately to G-d, to such an extent that he would be willing to jump into the Red Sea long before it parted. Further, a Jewish leader needs to be able to connect the nation to HaShem and humbly carry them in the direction of Truth, without fear of "realities."

The Jewish concept of faith is far from passive. Faith involves acting upon one's belief in HaShem and His Providence. Faith means acting in accordance with G-d's Will, to fulfill His Will, even when the odds are completely against successfully completing the task. We need to have faith that if we take it as far as we can HaShem will bring it to completion. And, if it doesn't come to fruition, it is because it was not His Will that it should. Faith is a measure of one's connection to G-d and His Will, and it is far from easy.

Our sages teach us that a leader unconnected to HaShem or His Torah (the expression of His Will) is an empty pit, void of water, and as such only snakes and scorpions will be able to enter. This is the meaning of the verse in parshat Wayeshev. For nature abhors a vacuum, including a spiritual vacuum, and eventually dangerous creatures will eventually inhabit the place.

To fill the pit with water, with life giving properties, one has to first recognize who he is and his responsibility for how he got there.

In parshat Wayeshev, there are two tales running side by side, that of Yosef sale into captivity and Yehudah dealings with Tamar. In both stories, the word "heyker," "to recognize," is used. Yehudah "recognizes" his staff and seal, which he gave to Tamar (Ber. 38:25-26), and Ya`aqob "recognizes" his son's coat (Ber. 37:32-33).

A moment of recognition, and yet, for Yehudah at least, we see a shift, a point of growth and maturation which will allow him, in the future to lead his family when it matters most.

Earlier, Yehudah had a similar recognition, prompting to sale of Yosef. He recognized that the only way to save his brother from his other brothers (who intended to leave him to die inthe pit) was to sell him into slavery. At least, he may have thought, one can be redeemed from slavery. Yet, after making this, what he must have considered necessary, decision, he had crisis of faith, and set about a creating the ruse that would fool their father.

When he is presented with his very own staff and seal, he is left with a choice, for he could very easily remain quiet, allowing the somewhat embarrassing matter to be swept away. Tamar, our tradition tells us, was willing to die before she would embarrass him. Yet, by "recognizing" his staff and seal, symbols of leadership, Yehudah recognized a whole lot more. He recognized that his suspicions about Tamar's role in the death of his two sons, and more importantly he recognized his responsibility, and, with faith, he took ownership of it.

This is also the story of Hanukah when a group of men, in effect one family, recognized the need of the hour, and despite the overwhelming odds took ownership of their responsibility. With faith that HaShem would help them complete their task, the Hasmoneans lit the small lamp, and in turn HaShem's flame was able to burn.

May G-d grant us the courage to begin the journey, so that He can complete the task.