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Parshat B'ha'alotcha
2005
Leadership and Accountability
Moses is often seen as the quintessential leader of the Jewish people. He presided over the most pivotal and formative moments of the development of Israel into a nation and a religion, with dizzying moments of triumph, glory and revelation. However, the glow of the Exodus was short-lived, as the Israelites could not reconcile their newfound status and obligations with the harsh realities of desert and nomadic life. The Israelites during this time are referred to by the Torah as a stubborn and stiff-necked people. This week's Torah portion introduces a string of unfortunate and tragic events that led to the demise of the generation that emerged from Egypt, a generation that ultimately could not elevate itself to attain its promised destination, the land of Israel. It is within this context that Moses' leadership is sorely challenged through internal and external struggle.
The Torah describes the growing dissatisfaction with the mannah provided as nourishment in the desert and the growing desire of the people for the meat and vegetables that they left behind in Egypt. Moses is soon made aware of their dissatisfaction and the "weeping in the tents" and confronts God with a profound and heartfelt sense of personal frustration. He exclaims, "Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you placed the burden of this people on me? … They weep to me saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' I am not able to bear all this people alone. If you deal this way with me, kill me… and let me not see my own wretchedness." God's response to Moses' plea is to remove some of the burden from Moses and to delegate responsibility to 70 appointed elders. Moses now has partners; he no longer has to bear the mantle and weight of leadership alone. The issue, as it is related in the Torah, is seemingly resolved. Delegation and partnership seems to be the answer to the burden and responsibilities of leadership.
A Midrash that comments on a later Torah portion utilizes the lessons of this episode in explanation of a very enigmatic series of events toward the end of Moses' life. The Torah tells us that following the death of Miriam, the Jewish people were unable to find water. Moses, who was commanded to speak to a rock from which water would flow, in turn hit the rock and was chastised and punished by God. The commentaries are perplexed by what Moses did wrong and what made him hit the rock instead of speaking to it, as God commanded. The Midrash provides a back story that sheds light on Moses' apparent anger. It relates that Moses and Aaron were crying over the death of their sister, while the nation was crying outside their tent due to the lack of water. When confronted, Moses, who was immersed in his mourning, reasoned, "Didn't I tell you that I am not able to bear all of you alone? You have officers for the thousands, the hundreds, for the fifties, and for tens, princes, officers and great elders – they will work for you." The people replied, "Everything is on you because you are the one that took us out of Egypt and brought us to this horrible place. If you give us water, great; if not, we will stone you." It was following this episode that God told Moses to talk to the rock. The punishment for his frustration was that he would no longer lead the Jewish people into the land of Israel.
Delegation and partnership is often an excellent way to enhance our ability to meet our overall responsibilities. Yet, as the Jewish people communicated so roughly to Moses, delegation should never be confused as a substitution for accountability, especially during times of need and crisis, and even if accountability comes at personal sacrifice.
Prepared by Ilan Haber, director, Jewish Learning Initiative
Learn More
Additional commentaries and text studies on B'ha'alotcha at MyJewishLearning.com.
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