A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat

Shabbat Pinchas 5757

21 Tammuz, 5757

Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale

People seek to transcend themselves by having their children continue their legacy. Even Moshe (Moses), who was first and foremost committed to the nation of Israel and was the most humble of men, was hopeful that his own children would lead the people into Israel.

Hence, the Midrash notes, (See Rashi 27:16) it was after God permitted the daughters of Zelofhad to inherit from their father, (27:1-11) that Moshe makes the request of God that a successor be appointed in the hope that his sons would be tapped for leadership.

It was not to be. God tells Moshe, Yehoshua (Joshua) will be the next leader, not any of Moshe's children. (Numbers 27:18) The Talmud states that Torah leadership is not automatically inherited. (Nedarim 71a) Several lessons can be learned from the way Moshe transfers leadership to Yehoshua.

First: Once told by God that his sons were unworthy to succeed him, Moshe unselfishly transfers the power to Yehoshua. Note, that whereas God told Moshe to "lay your hand (in the singular) on him [Yehoshua] , (27:18) Moshe places both hands on him. (27:23) Rashi makes this point by maintaining that Moshe laid his hands on Yeshoshua "generously, in much greater measure than he was commanded."

Second: Whereas God tells Moshe to "put some of his honor upon him [Yehoshua],"(Numbers 27:20) there is no mention that Moshe does so. This perhaps because Moshe was of such humble nature, that he felt unworthy--only God can give such honor. Alternatively, Moshe wanted Yehoshua to do it his way. While Moshe had given Yehoshua a sound foundation, Moshe understood that every leader is blessed with a unique style. Yehoshua should not become Moshe's clone.

Third: Moshe genuinely desires that Yehoshua receive a better lot than he did. Hence, Moshe tells God that the new leader be able "to lead them out, and...bring them in." (Numbers 27:17) This, the Midrash understands to mean that Moshe hoped that unlike himself, the next leader would not only be permitted to begin his task by moving the Jews out, but also be allowed to conclude his mission by taking the people into the land of Israel. (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:16) Even Moshe could not do it all. Yehoshua would complete that which Moshe started, that which even Moshe could not complete.

It's not easy to step back and make space for someone else. This is especially the case vis a vis our children. Giving another person precedence over one's own child is even more difficult than giving precedence to another over oneself. All the more so when one is in a position of power and is able to take whatever he wishes.

But Moshe did all of this, and did so nobly. The most humble person ever to live was without envy and graciously transferred power to the other.

SHABBAT SHALOM

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