Omer 2025 Day 42

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Day 42: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Malchut in Yesod, Leadership in Connection

I’ve read many books about the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln, and Team of Rivals stands out as one of the best, and certainly one of the most influential. It offers a powerful look at how Lincoln constructed his Cabinet, not by surrounding himself with yes-men, but by intentionally including political opponents and skeptics, even those who had challenged him in the Republican primary and questioned his capacity to lead. To forge this unlikely group into a functional and effective team, Lincoln had to build genuine personal relationships, earn trust, and create space for their expertise—while still maintaining his authority as their leader. His ability to hold the egos and pride of these men, and to channel their talents toward saving the Union, is a testament to his extraordinary leadership. Lincoln’s willingness to embrace diverse opinions underscores a fundamental truth of our democracy: building bridges isn’t just admirable, it’s necessary for good governance.