Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Parashat B'ha'aot'cha- Leadership


Umi yitein kol am A-donai n’vi’im ki yitein A-donai et rucho aleihem.
If only all A-donai’s people were prophets because A-donai placed the spirit of God upon them. (B’midbar 11:29)
Vayomru harak ach b’Moshe dibeir A-donai halo gam banu dibeir vayishma A-donai.
And they said, ‘Has A-donai spoken only through Moshe? Hasn’t A-donai also spoken through us?’ (B’midbar 12:2)
There’s an old Jewish joke- the presidents of the US and Israel have a meeting. They share their problems, each trying to impress the other. Eventually the American president says, “Mr. President, you must understand that I am president of close to two million while Israel has just over 2000 people.” Israel’s president replies, “Yes Mr. President, but I am president of 2000 presidents.”
Throughout our history the question of leadership has been difficult. We question everything, and answer questions with more questions. Even after revelation at Sinai we cannot simply accept God’s leadership and direction on faith. The Children of Israel continue to question God and Moshe. In order to establish understanding among the Israelites, God instructs Moshe to find seventy elders, and to bring them to the Ohel Moed. Two elders, Eldad and Medad, do not participate. They remain in the midst of the camp. Nevertheless, as chosen elders they are still imbued with the spirit of prophecy, and uncontrollably begin to speak this prophecy among the people. Seeing this, Joshua is greatly concerned about, what he sees as, a threat to Moshe’s authority. Joshua runs to Moshe to report, demanding that Eldad and Medad be contained. Moshe answers with a retort, “If only all A-donai’s people were prophets because A-donai placed the spirit of God upon them.” Later in the parasha Aaron and Miriam speak out against Moshe. After the seventy elders enter the Ohel Moed and Eldad and Medad prophesize, Aaron and Miriam are frustrated with their own lack of recognition as leaders among the people. God overhears their dissent. Moshe is too humble to speak up for himself, but for his sake God is angry. God calls the three of them to the Ohel Moed, where, it seems, God gives them a stern talking to.
On the one hand the end of the parasha seems to be playing out a parent/child scenario. God is chastising His children. He has overheard Miriam and Aaron ganging up on their younger brother, and seeks to ensure they realize they cannot force God’s had. God continuously chooses His leaders and prophets. Past leadership is not a guarantee for the future. When a leader becomes too complacent, too haughty, or too self-righteous s/he forfeits his/her position as a leader in the community. The honour of leadership is one that must be continually earned and bestowed each day.

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