Numbers 8:1 - 12:16
Précis: The parasha begins with a description of the making of the seven-branched menorah, a (the?) central Jewish symbol. Next, the Levites are given specific directions for their duties. The parasha returns to narrative with a recounting of a second Passover celebration (required because some of the Israelites had been ritually impure when the first anniversary of Passover was celebrated). Next comes a discussion of the making of silver trumpets. The cloud of God’s Presence lifts, and the march of the People through the wilderness from Sinai begins, led by the Ark of the Covenant. The people begin to murmur, this time about a lack of meat. God provides, but the People are struck with a plague. This time, even Miriam and Aaron seem to have complaints about Moses, cast in terms of their critique about his “Cushite woman.” Moses is stressed by the demands of leadership.
Number 11:10-15 “And Moses heard the people weeping, family by family, every man at the door of his tent; and the anger of God was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased. And Moses said to God: ‘Why have You dealt ill with Your servant, and why have I not found favor in Your sight?.... I am not able to bear all this people myself alone, because it is too heavy for me. If You deal this way me, kill me... and let me not look upon my wretchedness.'”
Writing in her column Weekly Jewish Wisdom (6/16/11) Erica Brown made some excellent observations about the burdens of leadership. She recalled that upon his resignation from office, Israeli Prime Minister Menachim Begin simply stated, “I cannot go on." All of us in Jewish communal leadership face times when there are simply no answers to the challenges we face. They may be personal, financial, demographic, or disputes between factions we are unable to overcome, despite the application of the best of our skills, talents, and experience.
Menachim Begin had decades of experience in leadership positions, including his command of the Irgun, the militant Zionist organization that tried to expel the British from Palestine before the State was established. For decades, he led the political opposition to the Israeli government, and ultimately as Prime Minister earned the Nobel Prize for concluding a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat of Egypt.
Begin's outstanding characteristic was his clear adherence to principles. However, when in quick succession his wife died, his health began to fail, and he was subjected to unfair claims about his alleged responsibilities for massacres in Lebanese refugee camps, he could no longer bear his burden, and he resigned.
The comparison with Moses in the cited verses is clear. Moses, too, was faced with a terrible series of trials; even God was angry with the people Moses was leading. He pleads for release, but that release is not granted. Moses’ strength was unique, and he was able to withstand the existential threat to his sanity posed by those who led.
Perhaps there is a lesson when we look at Begin and Moses. Begin continued to labor until he could no longer accept the burden. Moses found a way to overcome the burden and soldier on. Few of us are like Moses. When to let others assume the reins is always a critical question, the answer to which begins with self-knowledge and self-awareness. Begin’s statement that “I cannot go on” was courageous and should serve as an inspiration to all of us.
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