By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.
SAN DIEGO — There’s a Jewish maxim, “Every generation receives the leader it deserves.” Parasha Pinchas seems to provide a foundation for this adage. The parasha distinguishes between the leadership of Moses, who in today’s language would be described as a wise, dauntless, self-aware, “we” not “me,” conscious leader, and Joshua, of whom the Talmud, in Baba Batra 75A, says, “The Elders of that generation said: The countenance of Moses was like that of the sun; the countenance of Joshua like that of the moon. Alas, for such shame!”
But was Joshua truly not as bright as the “sun?” Was the “shame” Joshua’s or was it of the Elders who may not have given Joshua the chance to lead, who had difficulty accepting a new leader, who were unable to make room for a different type of leader without continually comparing to the leader they knew and loved? Hashem placed Joshua in the position of leadership and as the saying goes, “Man thinks and G-d winks.” He knows the leader a given generation needs. At that time, He knew the ability to connect and communicate with the Israelites was essential, a skill Joshua brought.
There’s a great deal to learn from this and apply to contemporary times. Imagine leaders who bring their full selves, with full awareness, to their positions. Moses demonstrates this for all future leaders. When Moses learned he was not going to enter the promised land he pivoted away from despairing, from anger and envy, and immediately focused on a identifying a successor. Hashem informed Moses that he will not lead the nation into the Promised Land. Moses’ first reaction was, “…Let the Lord, the God of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,” (27:16-17). Rashi teaches us, “To make known the virtue of the righteous, when they pass from this world, they put aside their own needs and concern themselves with the needs of the community.” Humility, dedication to the needs of the larger good, tolerance, and taking responsibility are the traits of an ideal leader, Rashi teaches.
Moses understood that it was time to look forward and transcend his own ego. We learn in the Midrash that Moses thought his son, Gershom, would be a proper successor. But Moses was able to let go of that and instead demonstrated his devotion to Hashem, and eagerly provided for what Hashem directed, naming Joshua as his successor. Rashi teaches that Moses’ devotion to the needs of the community before his own needs is a fundamental feature of the righteous.
By placing the Moses and Joshua issue at the center of this week’s reading, we begin to see clarity over leadership. Hashem’s people are to be served and led by individuals who honor and respect each member of our community, leaders who consult and confer, and who seek to raise up those around them for the benefit of all. Our ancestors deserved, and often got, that kind of leadership. We deserve it as well today.
This parasha teaches us a timely lesson about the value of placing the welfare of others above our own personal interests. From growing a shul to a school to a worthwhile community venture to a country, genuinely leading with love of the greater whole rather than one’s self-regard is vital. Given the turmoil we see in our world today, especially in our own Jewish world, I’m reminded of these ten two letter words, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” How can anyone be passive as we face the upheaval in our lives that current political forces bring? If we truly care, can we sit quietly? We cannot remain passive! Love of Judaism is not a passive experience. Love of another is not a passive experience. It is an active experience. Pinchas stepped forward and was described as a “zealot.” The daughters of Zelophahad bravely stepped forward, sending a single message, not one filled with conflict or disparity. But their work is not finished.
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Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly D’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family are members. They are also active members of Congregation Adat Yeshurun. He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com