A Lesson in
Humility and Leadership
In the Torah portion Vaeira, G-d decides to act on behalf of the great-great grandchildren of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. After many many years of slavery, constant beatings, backbreaking toil, and abject fear and terror, G-d decides to
finally put an end to this situation. He will force the cruel Egyptians to release the people of Israel, punish the Egyptians for their many
years of brutality and return the progeny of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to the land that their forefathers roamed which was populated at the time
by the Canaanites, a thoroughly barbaric people totally devoid of ethics and morality.
To introduce his message to the people of
Israel and to the Egyptians, G-d chooses as his messenger Moses and instructs him to “arise in the morning and stand up before Pharaoh”
(Shemot 9:13). In the commentary Or HaChaim, we are informed that G-d was telling Moses to put aside his customary humility whereby he would
bow his head before anyone greater or lesser than he. Here, where he was to speak with the leader of the most powerful nation in the world to
deliver a message of unequivocal truth and justice, Moses was to stand up straight without a sign of submissiveness and forcefully deliver this
message.
Indeed, Moses was described as “exceedingly humble more than any person on the face of the earth” (Bamidbar 12:3). This,
however, did not mean that he hesitated to speak or act forcefully. When he descended Mount Sinai to find the people of Israel dancing around a
golden calf, Moses did not hesitate to express his disgust in no uncertain terms, shattering the Holy Tablets at the foot of the mountain. When
Korah and his henchmen stirred dissension amongst the people, Moses did not hesitate to show his anger, asking that these conceited
rabble-rousers who challenged his legitimate G-d appointed leadership of the people meet with an awesome punishment. When the tribes of Reuben
and Gad approached him to request settlement on the other side of the Jordan, Moses did not hesitate to express his dismay at what he saw to be
the breaking of the people's unity. And when the Amorites repelled any overtures of peace and chose to wage war with the people of Israel,
Moses did not hesitate to fight them ferociously and with no regrets.
Moses learned that humility is not antithetical to
strength of character and recognizing who you are. Humility is not to be interpreted as hiding behind closed doors, fearing to express
one's mind whatever the urgency or appropriateness of the message. Humility is not for a bright and educated individual to make believe
that he is an uneducated fool. Humility is refraining from boasting or lording one's achievements, knowledge and talents over another.
Humility is appreciating and respecting every individual for what he is whether that individual is more or less educated, knowledgeable
or talented.
Moses, the first leader of our people, known by Jews across the globe as Moshe Rabenu – Moses our teacher – taught
us that humility is not to be confused with weakness or with being a wimp. When the truth must be told or acted upon, humility is to be set
aside. If one has the opportunity to do so, especially if one is in a leadership role, he should stand up straight and speak his mind – no
apologies. When injustice is to be fought, he should unabashedly and firmly express his conviction, whether speaking to his neighbors or to
world leaders. This is the lesson taught to us by Moses our teacher. This is his lesson in humility and leadership.
