Parshas Pinchas: Will The Real Leader Please Stand Up!

Moses spoke to G-d saying, May H-shem, G-d of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the assembly, who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall take them out and who shall bring them in; and let the assembly of H-shem not be like sheep that have no shepherd.

G-d said to Moses, “Take to yourself Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom there is spirit, and lean your hand upon him.” -Numbers 27:15-18

G-D OF THE SPIRITS: Appoint a leader who can put up with each individual according to his personality. –Rashi ibid

How do you choose a leader? What constitutes a successful leader? What essential qualities must the Rabbinic Search Committee look for in a candidate?

These are all questions that any thinking person has asked himself or herself. Think no more, the answer is in! This week’s parsha paints the portrait of a leader. As Moses prepares to pass on the mantle of leadership, he asks G-d to ensure that a worthy successor will fill his shoes. Whom did G-d choose? G-d chose Joshua to take over the reign of leadership. What characteristics did Joshua posses? As Nachmanidies notes, scholars of higher caliber than Joshua existed. Although the Sages inform us that Joshua was chosen because he was Moses’ primary disciple and devotee, the verse spotlights the singular quality that raised him above everybody else. The verse tells us that Joshua possessed a distinct sensitivity that enabled him to be a true leader of every single individual. He was able to tap into the mind and heart of every single member of the Jewish People. Moses specifically asked for a man, as opposed to a leader or communal activist. Moses knew that the leader must be in touch with the rank and file of the Jewish People. Of course he had to be a Torah scholar of the highest level. That was the easy part. The much more difficult job was finding somebody who was not on an ivory tower consumed in his own world of scholarship, and had disconnected from the people. Moses hinted to the very quality that caused G-d to choose him as leader. He asked for a shepherd for the flock. We all know that G-d only appeared to Moses at the burning bush subsequent to Moses having run after a lamb who had strayed from the flock. Moses caringly picked up the lamb and ever so gently rejoined him with the flock. The human element of a leader is what G-d sought, and that is what Moses requested for the next generation.

There is a plethora of books written about the qualities of leadership, but very few ever mention the most important characteristic needed: being a caring and sensitive person. The quality of leadership that Joshua possessed was also present in Pinhas. The Torah specifically links Pinhas to his grandfather Aaron to demonstrate that the leadership that Pinhas embodied was not based on empty zealotry; it was rather based on the foundations passes on by his grandfather Aaron. The Mishna in Avos tells us that Aaron loved the people and drew them closer to Torah. The commentators remark that Aaron’s secret was to love people. He didn’t blow them away with the latest scientific argument proving G-d’s existence, he simply showed them love. The people realized that they were only worthy of his love if they lived a similar lifestyle to the one that Aaron lived (See Maimonides). They therefore became more Torah oriented.

The future of the Jewish People depends upon our connection to Torah. The leadership required in order to draw the Jews closer to Torah is one of unadulterated love and sensitivity.

In conclusion, what is a leader? Somebody who is a father to every single member of his community; somebody who rejoices in the happiness of each person and is pained by their sadness. If those rabbinic search committees were more aware of this fact, the fabric of the Jewish People would be much more beautiful and complete. May we all merit to strive to the level of Joshua and Aaron… to love everybody, thereby drawing them closer to Torah.