THE DUAL ROLE OF A JEWISH LEADER
Pinchas
The first transfer of Jewish leadership is discussed in our Parsha.
Moshe is told that he is going to pass away. Instead of using the opportunity to take care of his personal affairs, Moshe’s first thought is for Bnei Yisroel. Who will lead and guide them after he departs? Moshe asks Hashem to appoint a capable leader who will replace him, one who, like Moshe, has the spirit of wisdom to be able to lead and relate to each member of the Jewish people.
Moshe had hoped that one of his own sons would take over from him, but Hashem chose Yehoshua. This was on account of Yehoshua’s bittul and tremendous devotion to his own Rebbe, Moshe; never leaving Moshe’s tent לא ימיש מתוך האוהל.
When asking Hashem to appoint a replacement, Moshe describes that such a person will be someone who will “go out before them (the people) and will come in before them. And will take them out and bring them in”. אשר יצא לפניהם ואשר יבא לפניהם ואשר יוציאם ואשר יביאם. What leadership qualities is Moshe describing and why is it phrased in such a wordy manner?
Hashem tells Moshe to take Yehoshua and to rest his hand upon him. When the Torah describes how Moshe does this, it says and he rested his hands on Yehoshua’s head. Hashem told Moshe to rest one hand and Moshe placed both. How could Moshe deviate from what Hashem had instructed him?
In his answer to these questions, the Kli Yakar addresses the dual role and responsibility of a Jewish leader. Yehoshua, like Moshe before him and all Jewish leaders who would come after him, would be responsible for two distinct areas of authority;
1. Spiritual leadership, הנהגה בתורה ומצות. This is the responsibility to uphold the observance and preservation of Torah and Mitzvos, and;
2. Political leadership, הנהגה מדינית. This refers to civil or governmental responsibility for affairs of state and functional society.
The approach and system of leadership which the leader must take in each of these two spheres of responsibility is very different. This is what Moshe alludes to when he says that a leader must be one who will “go out before them (the people) and will come in before them” and will also “take them out and bring them in”.
When it comes to political leadership, the leader must “go out before them and enter before them”; Not to lead by force, but to lead according to the will and counsel of the people themselves, so that when the leader leads, the people will wilfully follow along. This leadership is a bottom-up approach, being less authoritative and more collaborative. This is alluded to by the use of only a single hand.
But when it comes to spiritual leadership and upholding Torah and Mitzvos Moshe says “He will take them and out and he will bring them in”. This suggests a top-down approach. When it comes to Torah matters there is one benchmark which must be preserved without compromise. Two hands represents strength and taking a stand to uphold the spiritual standard even when it runs against popular opinion.
The two modes of leadership required is also reflected at the end of Sefer Devarim, when the baton of leadership is actually transferred. Moshe tells Yehoshua that “you will bring (תבוא) this nation to the Land”. The word תבוא literally means come, suggesting that Yehoshua would come into Eretz Yisroel together with and alongside, on par with the people. A few verses later Moshe tells Yehoshua that “you will bring (תביא) Bnei Yisroel”. תביא, which literally means to bring, suggests that Yehoshua will more forcefully bring them along.
We each possess a spark of Moshe within us and are leaders in our own areas of influence. When it comes to worldly and mundane matters we can be flexible and open to influence. But when it comes to upholding our Torah standards and values, our approach must be two-handed and without compromise.
Moshe is told that he is going to pass away. Instead of using the opportunity to take care of his personal affairs, Moshe’s first thought is for Bnei Yisroel. Who will lead and guide them after he departs? Moshe asks Hashem to appoint a capable leader who will replace him, one who, like Moshe, has the spirit of wisdom to be able to lead and relate to each member of the Jewish people.
Moshe had hoped that one of his own sons would take over from him, but Hashem chose Yehoshua. This was on account of Yehoshua’s bittul and tremendous devotion to his own Rebbe, Moshe; never leaving Moshe’s tent לא ימיש מתוך האוהל.
When asking Hashem to appoint a replacement, Moshe describes that such a person will be someone who will “go out before them (the people) and will come in before them. And will take them out and bring them in”. אשר יצא לפניהם ואשר יבא לפניהם ואשר יוציאם ואשר יביאם. What leadership qualities is Moshe describing and why is it phrased in such a wordy manner?
Hashem tells Moshe to take Yehoshua and to rest his hand upon him. When the Torah describes how Moshe does this, it says and he rested his hands on Yehoshua’s head. Hashem told Moshe to rest one hand and Moshe placed both. How could Moshe deviate from what Hashem had instructed him?
In his answer to these questions, the Kli Yakar addresses the dual role and responsibility of a Jewish leader. Yehoshua, like Moshe before him and all Jewish leaders who would come after him, would be responsible for two distinct areas of authority;
1. Spiritual leadership, הנהגה בתורה ומצות. This is the responsibility to uphold the observance and preservation of Torah and Mitzvos, and;
2. Political leadership, הנהגה מדינית. This refers to civil or governmental responsibility for affairs of state and functional society.
The approach and system of leadership which the leader must take in each of these two spheres of responsibility is very different. This is what Moshe alludes to when he says that a leader must be one who will “go out before them (the people) and will come in before them” and will also “take them out and bring them in”.
When it comes to political leadership, the leader must “go out before them and enter before them”; Not to lead by force, but to lead according to the will and counsel of the people themselves, so that when the leader leads, the people will wilfully follow along. This leadership is a bottom-up approach, being less authoritative and more collaborative. This is alluded to by the use of only a single hand.
But when it comes to spiritual leadership and upholding Torah and Mitzvos Moshe says “He will take them and out and he will bring them in”. This suggests a top-down approach. When it comes to Torah matters there is one benchmark which must be preserved without compromise. Two hands represents strength and taking a stand to uphold the spiritual standard even when it runs against popular opinion.
The two modes of leadership required is also reflected at the end of Sefer Devarim, when the baton of leadership is actually transferred. Moshe tells Yehoshua that “you will bring (תבוא) this nation to the Land”. The word תבוא literally means come, suggesting that Yehoshua would come into Eretz Yisroel together with and alongside, on par with the people. A few verses later Moshe tells Yehoshua that “you will bring (תביא) Bnei Yisroel”. תביא, which literally means to bring, suggests that Yehoshua will more forcefully bring them along.
We each possess a spark of Moshe within us and are leaders in our own areas of influence. When it comes to worldly and mundane matters we can be flexible and open to influence. But when it comes to upholding our Torah standards and values, our approach must be two-handed and without compromise.