Parshat Shemot

2004

Moses Takes the Myers-Briggs:

A model for integrating Jewish learning and student leadership

If Moses were to take the Myers-Briggs test, what would his personality type be? What would we learn about how he works in a group? During the first session of a Hillel course at Stanford, "Leadership Through a Jewish Lens," we asked students this question. They had just taken their own personality inventories, discussing individual styles of leadership and group participation. So which categories would Moses fall into? He might be labeled "perceptive" and "sensing" if we analyze his conversation with G-d at the burning bush, since he is slow to make the decision to take on leadership, seeking as much data as possible. He pays attention to details, seeks out and trusts facts.

It is clear that Moses stands out as the obvious hero in the Exodus story. But what about the other figures who were crucial to our liberation narrative? There are so many other key characters in this dramatic opening five chapters of Exodus alone, who remind us to look across the entire Myers-Briggs spectrum for our role models. Yes, some people will heroically lead people across a sea, but others will contribute in very different ways. These figures - the midwives, Miriam, Aaron, Pharoaoh's daughter - remind us that there are a plethora of leadership styles. Take a look at the following passages and ponder their modes of leadership:

Exodus 1:17-19
The midwives Shifrah and Puah, after hearing Pharoah's decree that they should kill all male Israelite babies, courageously defy his command: The midwives, fearing God, did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, letting the boys live?" The midwives said to Pharoah, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are vigorous. Before the midwife can come to them, they have given birth."

Exodus 2:4, 7, 8, 9
After Moses' mother placed him in the river, saving him from being thrown in the Nile to his death: "His sister stationed herself at a distance, to learn what would befall him." After Pharoah's daughter saved him, Moses' sister asks her, "'Shall I go and get you a Hebrew nurse to suckle the child for you?' And Pharoah's daughter answered, 'Yes.' So the girl went and called the child's mother. And Pharoah's daughter said to her, 'Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will pay your wages.'"

Exodus 4:30-31
After Aaron has been assigned to be Moses' mouthpiece: "Aaron repeated all the words that G-d had spoken to Moses, and he performed the signs in the sight of the people, and the people were convinced."

A Word
As Passover approaches, this is a great parshah to explore in a leadership venue. What can we learn about ourselves from this parshah? Which personality types are more inclined than others to risk their own necks for what they believe is just? Do we sometimes need to suppress some of our needs or even our egos in order to see a task accomplished (Aaron)? When is not revealing your true intentions acceptable (midwives, Miriam)? Why do we often overlook or undervalue those who serve in discreet ways, "behind the scenes" folks (the midwives usually aren't even mentioned in haggadot)? Even bringing in Pharoah as a leader can be instructive in terms of conflict management: What about his personality brought about the impasse? Examining Moses' complex personality along with these often overlooked figures with student leaders can reveal a great deal about the necessity for different leadership styles while infusing a basic leadership exercise with Jewish content.

Prepared by Rabbi Mychal Copeland, campus rabbi, Stanford University.

Learn More
Additional commentaries and text studies on Parshat Shemot at MyJewishLearning.com.