Looking for Leaders with Humility
A lesson from the Tiferes Shlomo Parshas Devarim
וָאֶקַּח אֶת־רָאשֵׁי שִׁבְטֵיכֶם אֲנָשִׁים חֲכָמִים וִידֻעִים וָאֶתֵּן אוֹתָם רָאשִׁים עֲלֵיכֶם
“So I took your tribal leaders, wise and experienced men, and appointed them heads over you”
“So I took your tribal leaders, wise and experienced men, and appointed them heads over you”
In his recount of the events that took place in the desert, Moshe describes the appointment of the judges, that had been done on the advice of his father-in-law Yisro.
Yisro had told Moshe to find men who were חֲכָמִים (wise), נְבֹנִים (discerning) and ידֻעִים (experienced). But Moshe describes how he appointed men who were חֲכָמִים וִידֻעִים , making no mention of נבונים. Rashi says that this was because Moshe was unable to find people who possessed this quality.
Earlier, Rashi explains that נבונים means those who are able to “understand one matter from within another matter”.
When Hashem appeared to Moshe at the Burning Bush and asked him to become the leader and redeemer of the Jewish people, Moshe persistently refused. He do so on account of his great humility. Moshe genuinely felt that he was unworthy of leadership, saying “who am I that I should go before Pharaoh”. He felt that someone else would be far greater than him and suggested that Aharon go instead.
When we are offered positions of greatness, Hashem tests us to see whether we will become arrogant or remain humble.
Moshe was not looking for great and scholarly judges who would jump at the opportunity to be elevated to positions of prestige and leadership. He was looking for נבונים, who would understand that within the request to serve as a judge was a test of character, would they shy away and refuse out of humility.
Yisro had told Moshe to find men who were חֲכָמִים (wise), נְבֹנִים (discerning) and ידֻעִים (experienced). But Moshe describes how he appointed men who were חֲכָמִים וִידֻעִים , making no mention of נבונים. Rashi says that this was because Moshe was unable to find people who possessed this quality.
Earlier, Rashi explains that נבונים means those who are able to “understand one matter from within another matter”.
When Hashem appeared to Moshe at the Burning Bush and asked him to become the leader and redeemer of the Jewish people, Moshe persistently refused. He do so on account of his great humility. Moshe genuinely felt that he was unworthy of leadership, saying “who am I that I should go before Pharaoh”. He felt that someone else would be far greater than him and suggested that Aharon go instead.
When we are offered positions of greatness, Hashem tests us to see whether we will become arrogant or remain humble.
Moshe was not looking for great and scholarly judges who would jump at the opportunity to be elevated to positions of prestige and leadership. He was looking for נבונים, who would understand that within the request to serve as a judge was a test of character, would they shy away and refuse out of humility.