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Parshat Devarim
2005
Even Leaders Need a Helping Hand
In Parshat Devarim, Hebrew for "words," Moses addresses the Israelites as they are about to enter the Holy Land of Israel. The community is preparing for this remarkable transition, and as their leader, Moses is compelled to retrace the steps of the journey that led them to this point. He addresses the community directly and recounts not only the physical distances they have traveled together and the challenges the community faced, but those he had to contend with as their leader:
Deuteronomy 1:9-14
1. Thereupon I said to you, "I cannot bear the burden of you by myself. 2. The Eternal your God has multiplied you until you are today as numerous as the stars in the sky. 3. May the Eternal, the God of your ancestors, increase your numbers a thousandfold and bless you as promised. 4. How can I bear unaided the trouble of you, and the burden, and the bickering! 5. Pick from each of your tribes personages who are wise, discerning, and experienced, and I will appoint them as your heads." 6. You answered me and said, "What you propose to do is good."
Some Questions for Thought
1. Why would Moses have publicly expressed his distress during times of crisis within the community?
2. Why follow his remarks about the burden of leadership with words of praise and blessing for the continued growth of the community?
3. Why does Moses delegate to the community the responsibility of selecting those who will create this system of guidance, judgment and leadership?
An Idea
Throughout Devarim, Moses establishes some basic leadership principles that assisted him with this journey. His vision for shared leadership is developed in Devarim and is later put into practice by the Jewish people through the establishment of the Sandedrin and a judicial system. Delegating, in a very practical way, eased the burden that Moses bore throughout this journey.
Moses initially adopted this notion of sharing the burden of leadership in Exodus 18 from Yitro, his father-in-law. After watching his son-in-law endlessly provide counsel and help community members resolve disputes, Yitro asked: "What is this thing that you are doing to the people? Why do you do it alone, while all the people stand about you from morning until evening?" (Exodus 18:14) He continues, "The thing you are doing is not right; you will surely wear yourself out, and these people as well. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone." (Exodus 18:17-18) Yitro provides a bit of a wake-up call to Moses as he instructs him to respect the importance of his position and mission by acknowledging that he needs help.
In Pirke Avot (Ethics of Our Ancestors), we learn more of this concept of delegating responsibility: "Moses received the Torah from Sinai, and passed it on to Joshua, and Joshua to the elders, and the elders to the prophets, and the prophets passed it on to the men of the Great Assembly." (Pirke Avot 1:1) The foundation of our peoplehood would certainly not have been sustained had it not been shared. By empowering others and widening the scope of those "in the know," our tradition is enriched through ongoing deliberation and dialogue.
The burden of leadership, and the knowledge, responsibilities and obligations it entails, must be shared in order to nurture future generations of leaders and ensure continuity. Those in power can learn humility by recognizing their interdependence and the need for supportive relationships. What made Moses such a strong leader in the end was not that he was loudest or most outspoken or most proud, but that he was humble and was eventually willing to share the leadership role with others. He knew that it wasn't about him, but about the future of the group and the generations to come.
In our society, which stresses independence, autonomy and a bureaucratic system of power, it is difficult to go against the grain and ask for help and support. For our own well-being and the health of the community, leaders must remember that personal suffering does not translate to sustainable leadership. Asking for help is not an admission of weakness, but rather an opportunity to strengthen yourself and empower others.
Prepared by Lisa David, acting director, KESHER
Learn More
Additional commentaries and text studies on Parshat Devarim at MyJewishLearning.com.
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