Courage, Queen Esther, and What Jewish Weddings Teach Us About Leading with Heart

Hi, I’m Cantor Ben, and I want to share a story that has shaped Jewish life for centuries. It is the story of a young queen named Esther.

She was not born brave.

When Queen Esther stood outside King Ahashverosh’s chambers, her heart was racing. She knew the law: if you approached the king without being invited, you could be killed. Yet her people were in danger. She said a short prayer, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

The king looked up, shocked. Why would she risk everything like this?

Because she knew silence in the face of injustice was not an option.

That moment of courage saved the Jewish people. Not because Esther had no fear, but because she chose to act with strength of heart even when she was afraid.

Why This Story Matters for Jewish Life and Love

Most people think courage means being fearless. But in Judaism, courage—ometz lev—means choosing what is right, even when it is difficult.

We show courage when we stand up to peer pressure, speak out when someone is being bullied, admit when we make a mistake, or step forward to protect those we love.

This teaching came alive for me when I met Chad and Nicky, a Jewish couple from Toronto whose wedding I was honored to officiate. From the very beginning of their Jewish Wedding Planning, they chose to bring courage into their relationship. They did not just focus on the Jewish Wedding Traditions of a Jewish Wedding Chuppah or the signing of the Jewish Wedding Ketubah. They also spoke openly about the challenges of blending families, supporting each other through stress, and committing to a marriage built on vulnerability and strength.

Like Queen Esther, Chad and Nicky understood that courage does not mean having no fear. It means stepping forward even when the path is uncertain.

A Life Coaching Perspective

Think of courage like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.

At first, lifting even a small weight is hard. But little by little, strength grows. The same is true with bravery. Start small:

• Raise your hand when you are nervous.

• Stand up for someone when others stay silent.

• Speak your truth even when your voice shakes.

Every time you act with courage, you are doing reps with your soul. This applies to children learning their first Torah portion and to adults preparing for a Jewish Wedding Ceremony.

I was mentored by a great Jewish Wedding Rabbi, and what I carry into my work as a Jewish Wedding Cantor is the reminder that courage is built over time, in small but powerful steps.

A Real-Life Story of Courage in Action

One of my students, Ari, noticed a boy at school who used a wheelchair but never joined friends at a local hangout. The place had steps and no ramp. No one questioned it until Ari realized why his friend was always absent.

He did something courageous. He wrote a letter to the store owner asking for a ramp. He worried about being laughed at, but he sent it anyway. A month later, the ramp was there.

That one action changed a friendship and set an example for his entire community. It reminded me of how weddings and Jewish Wedding Services are more than rituals—they are acts of courage. They are public declarations of love, commitment, and the willingness to show up fully, even when life is uncertain.

Why This Matters in Jewish Weddings

Every Traditional Jewish Wedding or Modern Jewish Wedding includes moments of courage. When Chad and Nicky stood beneath their Jewish Wedding Chuppah, they were not just taking part in Jewish Wedding Customs like sharing wine, reciting Jewish Wedding Vows, or dancing the Jewish Wedding Hora. They were stepping into a covenant that demands courage every single day.

A wedding is not just about the Jewish Wedding Photographer, the Jewish Wedding Decorations, or the Jewish Wedding Reception. It is about two people choosing to love and protect each other, no matter what storms may come.

This courage carries forward into the future. After weddings, I often officiate a Jewish newborn ceremony or a baby naming ceremony. Parents stand before family and community, giving their child a Hebrew name during a Jewish Baby Naming Tradition. It takes courage to commit to raising children with values, kindness, and faith in a complicated world.

Whether I am guiding families through a baby naming ceremony Jewish, helping plan a Jewish Baby Naming Reception, or offering Jewish Baby Naming Services, I see the same truth: courage shapes every stage of Jewish life.

Your Challenge This Week

If courage is like a muscle, here are three simple ways to exercise it this week:

1. Identify a Brave Moment You Have Had

Think of one time you acted with courage, even though it was difficult. What helped you push through?

2. Practice Micro-Bravery

Do one small brave thing each day. Speak kindly when others gossip, apologize first, or say no when everyone else says yes.

3. Visualize Your Brave Self

Close your eyes and imagine the most courageous version of yourself. What would that person do differently today? Take one step in that direction.

Final Thought

Courage is not about being fearless. It is about showing strength of heart.

Queen Esther risked everything because she knew silence was not an option. Chad and Nicky, during their Jewish Wedding Toronto celebration, stepped into their marriage with the same lesson: to live with honesty, vulnerability, and courage.

This is what I carry into every wedding I officiate as a Jewish Wedding Officiant and Jewish Wedding Cantor. Whether it is guiding couples through Jewish Wedding Rituals, celebrating love at a Jewish Wedding Venue with music and joy, or welcoming life at a Jewish Baby Naming Ceremony Planning, the message is the same.

You were born with courage. You just need to exercise it.

So let me ask you:

🟡 When was the last time you acted bravely, even in a small way?

🟡 Is there a place in your life right now where courage is calling you forward?

I can’t wait to hear your answers.

Thanks,Ben