Author: MA. Klodeta Cane
Have you ever pondered over what it takes to keep a promise, truly and unwaveringly? A promise beyond words, a lifelong vow, even a promise beyond generations, beyond life itself? A promise of commitment and honor, of bond and unbreakable covenant.
As we journey from the divine assurances made by G_d to Abraham in Parashat Vayeira, we delve into layers of commitment and loyalty, reaching the world of Albanian folklore and the concept of Besa – a vow so sacred and eternal that it resembles and is analogous to the promises made in Torah. From personal vows to tribal agreements, even national bonds, this ancient concept encapsulates many lectures for the Balkan classrooms.
As a native Albanian, the concept of Besa was in my educational foundation and upbringing, portrayed as “Eternal Given/Living Word.” The earliest traces of this concept date back to ancient times and are best-known in Albanian folklore or legend as a unique form of the belief-system called Shqiptaria, which represents the very essence of Albanian identity.
Besa implies the concept of an eternal covenant that requires keeping the promised word even beyond death. Have you ever felt the weight of a promise you made? Besa was the seal used in every relationship, from personal to tribal, to principalities at the highest level of the community. Is there a more profound way to echo the promises made by G_d to Abraham and the characters of Vayeira and reflect on the real weight of our words and the enduring power of our promises?
The oldest legend that introduces the concept of Besa in Albania is a ballad of lamentation where a mother requires the resurrection of her son, in order to keep a promise and be united her with her daughter. This legend has always been part of the Albanian educational system and is very familiar for Albanians in neighboring countries.
Cultural Values:
Although every description and testimony of Besa is totally independent of religious sentiments, the highest level of Besa implies a sacrifice where one personally decides to exchange one’s own life for another if needed. This may explain why the concept is often identified as being the reason why Albanians provided security to many Jews during World War II.
Adherence to this concept reflects the importance of cultural values and a willingness to take grave risks in order to fulfill the precept, "Love thy neighbor as thyself." (Leviticus 19:18). Teachers can use a variety of methods to effectively teach about making and keeping promises.
Relevance for Balkan classrooms
Multi-disciplinary activities designed for the Balkan classroom can help instill important core principles and and grow life-giving cultural values in a tangible and relatable way for students. Any effective instructional method has the potential to connect with cultural and historical priorities associated with Parashah and Albanian Besa. When students’ learning experiences are personally relevant and engaging, they can more easily recognize the immediate and long-term benefits of internalizing the practice of keeping promises in different political spheres and relational life levels.
Blog 3’s Lesson Plan for high school students examines the concepts of keeping promises and pursuing justice as legally supported cultural values within the Torah and Albania’s Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini.
Blog 4 describes a project for university students that studied historical practices in Albania supporting Jews. The content also specifically highlighted policies and decrees of one monarch who made and kept promises that fostered Albanian acceptance, appreciation and active engagement with religious and cultural practices of Jewish residents.
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