Bamidbar 13:3: “…all are men, leaders of the children of Israel, they are.” Rashi notes that “men” refers to kosher people, people of high regard, stature, and of course, proper character. Boys don’t simply become men because they had their Bar Mitzvah. They may rise to adulthood, where they are forced to eat from their own dish and take care of themselves, but, as they say, age is just a number.

What does it mean when I say, “I’m ready to identify as a man”? An identity is defined as more than just a label stuck on the boss’s nametag. It is a walk and talk that follows the man around wherever he goes. A leader will walk into a place that isn’t necessarily under his leadership and take control when things seem to become messy. As the Mishnah in Avot 2:5 states, “In a place of no man, attempt to be a/the man!” Each person in their personal identity will find their places, in or out of the office, to drive their experience. Like the accountant who eavesdrops on a conversation and pipes up with financial advice.

The identity of a man depends a lot on the accomplishments they have to show for themselves. They have solid evidence to back up their theories with stories and reviews to prove them. Of course, step one is taking a leap in a specific direction and being passionate about its pursuit, and only then does step two open up with perfecting it with each experience. This perfection is solely based on focus. When one can dial into their dream and come back to it over and over again, it becomes who they are. When you speak to anybody you will hear what is on their mind. Even as they discuss a totally new topic, they’ll blend their knowledge with analogies and metaphors to keep themselves on the line of logic.

The things you do, the things you speak, and the thoughts you have become the force behind the identity you wish to walk. A man........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)