They Revere Horses, Don't They?

Home
» Blogs

Give Tzedakah! Help Aish.com create inspiring
articles, videos and blogs featuring timeless Jewish wisdom.

Published: February 6, 2007

Visitor Comments: 17

(17) MARC, October 21, 2007 12:37 AM

i MEAN NO RESPECT SIR, BUT YOU ARE MIXING APPLES AND ORANGES AND PLAYING WITH SEMANTICS YOU CAN TURN ANYTHING TOWARDS A CAUSE , bARBARO IS A HERO TO HORSE LOVERS AROUND THE WORLD DO YOU WISH TO TAKE THGAT AWAY FROM THEM IS EVERYTHING RELATED TO WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE TERM SPORTS HERO . WHAT IS NEXT DON'T CALL TIGER WOOD A HERE WHY DON'T WE JUST USE THE WORD EXCLUSIVELY TO WHAT YOU WISH TO CONVEY . I THINK YOU ARE BEIGN A STICK IN THE MUD LET PEOPLE HAVE THEIR FUN AND LET THEM GREEVE THEIR LOSS NOT EVERYTHING IS RELATED TO 9/11 BUT IT CAN BE IF YOU WISH I THINK YOU MISSED YOUR CALLING YOU WOULD HAVE MADE A GREAT LAWYER. i RECENTLY BEEN RIDING EVERY DAY AND I'M CRAZY ABOUT IT I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THOSE GUYS YELLING AT FOOTBALL RALLIES WERE CRAZY WISH SHOULD CELEBRATE THE HUMAN SPIRIT AND CALL A HERO TO ANYTHING THAT ACHIVES SUCH GREATNESS i HAVE MANY HERO THAT ARE HUMAN BUT FEW THAT ARE HORSES ORANGES AND APPLES DEAR SIR. SHALOM MARC IN LA

(16) E. Goldfeder, February 8, 2007 1:21 PM

Horses ARE heroes

I have a great feeling of sadness for the good Rabbi Salomon, who does not recognize the fact that heroism comes in many forms. He weakly admits a dog may be a hero ... but oh, not a horse. Benjamin Franklin, a greater mind than that of the good Rabbi, told of the heroic value of the horse historically in "For the Want of a Nail."

But, history aside, is Barbaro a hero? He was brave, he was honest, he was kind and he inspired others. Made them care and feel sympathy ... inspired humans to some human feelings that are important to the expression of God's values. God created Barbaro and Barbaro gave back to humanity in His honor.

(15) Lucy, February 8, 2007 1:10 PM

Barbaro and those who cared for him really were special

I was one of those who e-mailed get-well wishes to New Bolton Center for Barbaro. As a horse owner, I realize the chances of him reading them were small, but I knew how his owners, trainer and jockey felt about the colt who had held so much promise. I do not know that I looked upon the horse as a "hero," but he was surely a noble creature who gave his life for our pleasure. I admire his owners, the Jacksons, who appreciated their horse and did all they could for him, at great cost and with small chance of any recompense. I admire his vet, who put in an almost superhuman effort in an attempt to save the horse and finally, I admire his trainer, Michael Matz, who is not only a great horseman (he was an Olympic medalist before he was a racehorse trainer) but is also an actual hero. Several years ago he pulled three children from the burning wreckage of a plane.
Those who said "God let them down" were merely expressing grief and disappointment. While our smaller griefs are not really as serious as the many major calamities that occur, we feel them as keenly for the moment. I know that I felt that way when I lost a beloved horse of my own.
Our love for Barbaro in no way detracts for our love and admiration of human heroes. Besides, it sometimes takes something simple and non-human, perhaps a horse, to bring people together and help them to understand each other.

(14) Eve Zukergood, February 8, 2007 8:45 AM

Response to horses are heros, why one or the other

Barbaro was more than a symbol of hope. As a horse he was a symbol of freedom and spirit. I don't think making a comparison between human beings who are heros and have performed heroic acts, and Barbaro is the point. I think the outpouring of grief for this horse is due to the fact that many people feel helpless today as they see the situation of the world deterioriate. Yes everyone you mentioned was in fact a hero. I think people need heros, because it triggers the very human essence and piece of their own personality that wants good to triumph over bad. I think people admired the horse because the horse did not want to give up, he was couragous in fighting for his life. I think the horse is a metaphor for all of us who are frightened, and do not want to give up. The horse is a symbolic hero because of how he fought through pain to live. If we learn anything, maybe we learn from this that heroism is innate in humans and animals. Let's recognize this, and not exclude on or the other.

(13) Margarita, February 7, 2007 7:22 AM

you are right

You are right. I just want to say separate Thank You for acknowledging IDF soldiers, too many times Israel and her defenders are criticized, you have done the right thing calling them heroes.

(12) Scott, February 6, 2007 8:26 PM

Great Thought

We in our family love animals very much. We have seven of them! However, idealizing any animals to the point of extremes over our own brothers and sisters IS wrong. Animals are truly a reminder for us of the imagination of G-d. For this...we should be thankful and feel blessed.

(11) Seth Avram, February 6, 2007 7:33 PM

I agree with you totally!!!!

You said it well!!!!

(10) Glenn Harbison, February 6, 2007 2:52 PM

society's values ' skewed '

Rabbi Solomon touches on one glaring example of how society's values are 'skewed'. Things can change...Jimmy Carter is no hero any more, but what we define as hero has to stay constant. "Horse sense" doesn't replace universally accepted values.

(9) Tova Saul, February 6, 2007 1:16 PM

Let's Take This a Step Further

As a renowned animal-lover and rescuer, not only do I agree 100% with Rabbi Solomon, but I would ratchet this all up much higher.
Barbaro was not a hero. This horse was one of 100's of 1000's who are whipped beyond what God intended for them----all for monetary purposes. The following is a recipe for disaster:
animals
+men
+money=disaster
Horse-racing has caused thousands of horses to break down on the track like Barbaro. You just don't hear about it. Then people who purport to love horses bewail them as "great heros", romanticizing them. This does not help horses. Horses are only mute beasts being pushed beyond their endurance for money. The horse has no comprehension that all this fanfare is swirling around it, and "what it's all about". The people that Rabbi Solomon is talking about, rather than being sad, should be angrily demanding an end to horseracing. By the way, Israel is planning to destroy a large chunk of the Negev to build a racecourse.

(8) Norm, February 5, 2007 11:52 AM

Surprisingly Comments are in Favor of your Position

I agree whole-heartedly with your eloquent statement.Surprisingly,so far other people's comments are also in agreement. I have long wondered why it is that 'American Society' equates animals with humans? If they are equal and a star quarterback or basketball player can be called a hero - why not an animal? The Torah advises us that man (not animals) was created in the image of G-d (Tzelem Elokim). Would society recognize that - it would go a long way to addressing some of the problems we face today as a nation. P.S. Perhaps you would like to tackle the hero-worship of sports stars next?

(7) Anonymous, February 4, 2007 9:26 PM

Thank you for a perspective

Thank you. All to often the term hero is overused. The overuse in turn detracts fom those who truly are heroes, those who knwingl act, at personal risk, to help others.

(6) A Agatstein, February 4, 2007 6:24 PM

Glad Someone Said It!

I could not agree more! Nowadays, the greatest words we have are always overused. Besides the word "hero" being overused, the words "love", and "hate" and many others are as well. I am proud that someone finally had the courage to stand up and say, "He may have been remarkable, but he was just a horse." Thank you!

(5) Anonymous, February 4, 2007 5:51 PM

Enough of the Rabbi nay-sayer

Certainly, public fascination with Barbaro is over the top. However, I find it ironic that a rabbi speaks about the importance of addressing human issues. He's talking about a horse while tanks fire on women and children in Beit Hanoun. Shouldn't he focus on these human catastrophes.

(4) Anonymous, February 4, 2007 1:17 PM

Media Hype

This is another example of the media creating excitment over something that most people have no interest in. If it were not for the news coverage no one, except the owners and trainers, would even remember this horse's name. The media turns ordinary people into superstars. Now it's doing the same thing with a horse.

(3) Anonymous, February 4, 2007 12:23 PM

Nothing to think about.

Indeed, the Rabbi orated a perfect essay. Slam dunk accurate as a very good response to those that elevate Barbaro to hero status. No, there is no question about it. While a horse can be a hero when he drags a wounded rider to safety, a race horse -- even one as great as Barbaro, is not a hero. There ain't anything to think about; Rabbi Salomon said it exactly right.

(2) Laurie, February 4, 2007 10:27 AM

Horses can be "heroes" but not for the money they make

In a manner of speaking, I do "revere" horses, but I agree, it's sad and puzzling that Barbaro was mourned as a hero. Not only is there something about horses that suggests nobility, but up until our modern age, the horse was an incredibly useful tool in war and in peace as well as a creature of great beauty. Unfortunately, the reason Barbaro was so valuable is that he was an integral part of America's shameful gambling industry. That's right -- he was a "hero" for the cause of sin! The world just likes to, uh, put the cart before the horse -- so to speak.

(1) Anonymous, February 4, 2007 8:58 AM

what's there to think about?

a society who is lost and so self centered that it doesn't distinguish between human life value and animal life value? G-d let them down? sounds so Roman!!! their gods always let them down... but in Jewish life, it is very clear: There's nothing to think about; if there is, it must be our own need to study MORE Torah and learn about these issues from a Torah perspective. And I still wouldn't say that this horse had more value than other animals just because it made 2 million dollars to its owners. People should turn off their t.v.s. A meaningful world would open up to them.

See All Comments

stub

About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

More by this Author >

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

Click here to order Yaakov Salomon's new book, Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.

They Revere Horses, Don't They?

Barbaro: Horse or Hero?

Visitor Comments: 17

Submit Your Comment:

About the Author

Related Articles:

LANGUAGES:

AFFILIATES:

SECTIONS:

EMAIL LISTS:

ABOUT:

FOLLOW US: