This is a document that permitted a Jew to escape Hitler’s death machine, as it was starting it’s movement across Europe. It was signed by Hiram Bingham IV, who disobeyed orders in order to save at least 2,500 innocent lives.

Bingham came from a very rich and famous family (his dad was a Senator, his mom an heiress, etc.), and so he was put into a responsible position in France as the war was unfolding. Seeing the plight of refugees (Jews and others), he broke the expectations that lay heavily upon him, engaged in a variety of intrigues, and smuggled thousands of seriously threatened people out of Europe.

For his efforts, Bingham was abruptly pulled from his position, transferred far away, and passed over for promotions. But while he had the ability to save innocent people, he saved them, at the risk of shame upon himself and his family.

At some point, every healthy and whole human being must be able to defy authority and do the right thing. If we cannot do that, we cannot become whole. Hiram (Harry) Bingham did precisely that, and we can too.

* * * * *

Before you go back to the mundane, replay some event in your life where you defied what was expected or forced upon you, and did what you believed was right. If you have to, imagine such an event, and live through it carefully. These are the things that make us better creatures than we’ve been.