The Night of Teachers/Seers

I was thinking of a hero, actually, one who is know to Christians and Jews... see, after Abraham but before Christ, there was a man. An unwanted man, exiled from his family, until there was a war - and he became a leader of his people. And he swore to G-d that if G-d would grant him victory over the Ammonites, "Then I swear that I shall offer up as burnt offering whatsoever shall first come out of the door of my house to greet me." And so it was. He won, and the first thing to greet him from his door was his daughter, his only child... he cried out and wailed in sorrow but when she learned of his vow, she said, "My father, you have given your promise to Yahweh; treat me as the vow you took binds you to, since Yahweh has given you vengence on your enemies the Ammonites." Then she said to her father, "Grant me one request. Let me be free for two months. I shall go and wander in the mountains, and with my compainions bewail my virginity." So it happened and when the two months were past, she returned to her father and was sacrificed.

She didn't rate a big chapter in the story, she wasn't considered more than a by-note in the history of Isreal's growth, she didn't even have her name recorded... This story always moves me far more than that of Abraham and his son - that child didn't know what was happening and was lied to, bound, and saved by G-d but this girl knew and accepted her fate with trust... I know which one I honor more.

Anyway. The night of teachers... I guess writing about George Washington Carver (a teacher) last night should have been balanced by mentioning a hero tonight, eh?