D’varim
Deuteronomy 1:1 - 3:22
Précis: The Book of Deuteronomy (D’varim – “words”) takes the form of a series of lectures by Moses to the People as they prepare to enter the Land. Together, these instructions constitute Moses’ farewell address. D’varim is sometimes called the “Mishneh Torah”, literally, the “second teaching of the Torah” (this is where we get the Greek name of the Book) because it contains repetitions of previously enunciated laws. The Book has a strong focus on the centrality of the Temple in the Promised Land, as well as many of other rituals found at the center of Jewish life: recitation of the Sh’ma, Birkat Hamazon, Shabbat observance, wearing tallit and tefillin, reciting kiddush on Shabbat, and placing mezuzot on doorposts.
The first parasha recounts the four decades of travel through the wilderness, repeats the story of the spies, deals with the appointment of judges, victories in the wilderness against enemies, and how the conquered land is to be divided. This parasha is read every year on Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat prior to the fast of Tisha B’Av. Since looking at history is a major theme of the parasha, it is certainly an appropriate reading prior to this observance.
Deut.1:22 “Then all of you came to me and said, ‘Let us send men to reconnoiter the land for us and bring back word on the route we shall follow and the cities we shall come to. It looked good in my eyes, and so I selected twelve men, one from each tribe.”
In this opening parasha of D’varim, Moses recalls the tragedy of the twelve spies which resulted in the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, and perhaps can be considered as the cause of Moses’ own inability to enter the Land (he never would have had to hit the rock if the quicker route was taken!). Even though the outcome was catastrophic, Moses was willing to accept responsibility for it, and had the courage to admit that he approved of the plan, even though it turned out badly.
What a refreshing and honest response by Moses! It seems to me that most leaders today, be they congregational, civic, or governmental, are quick to back away from failed efforts. You can hear them say, “Not my fault! It was his fault! I never thought it was a good idea!”
True leadership requires more than a smidgen of honesty. Why does this seem to be in such short supply among our current leaders? Perhaps the fault lies in us: we seem to have short attention spans, and we’ve learned that leaders fabricate their own stories. Our expectations have been lowered, particularly as vicious attack ads destroy the opposition with seeming impunity.
On the other hand, a real leader is someone with an ego big enough to survive saying, “I was wrong” or “I accept the blame for this error.” Bad decisions are just what they are: bad decisions. If one made a decision in good faith and the decision seemed reasonable and appropriate when it was made, if things don’t turn out as we expected them to turn out, well, no one is perfect. The next time you make a decision that turns out to be wrong, be like Moses, and say “it looked good in my eyes” at the time. Your credibility and leadership will be enhanced.
Deuteronomy 1:1 - 3:22
Précis: The Book of Deuteronomy (D’varim – “words”) takes the form of a series of lectures by Moses to the People as they prepare to enter the Land. Together, these instructions constitute Moses’ farewell address. D’varim is sometimes called the “Mishneh Torah”, literally, the “second teaching of the Torah” (this is where we get the Greek name of the Book) because it contains repetitions of previously enunciated laws. The Book has a strong focus on the centrality of the Temple in the Promised Land, as well as many of other rituals found at the center of Jewish life: recitation of the Sh’ma, Birkat Hamazon, Shabbat observance, wearing tallit and tefillin, reciting kiddush on Shabbat, and placing mezuzot on doorposts.
The first parasha recounts the four decades of travel through the wilderness, repeats the story of the spies, deals with the appointment of judges, victories in the wilderness against enemies, and how the conquered land is to be divided. This parasha is read every year on Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat prior to the fast of Tisha B’Av. Since looking at history is a major theme of the parasha, it is certainly an appropriate reading prior to this observance.
Deut.1:22 “Then all of you came to me and said, ‘Let us send men to reconnoiter the land for us and bring back word on the route we shall follow and the cities we shall come to. It looked good in my eyes, and so I selected twelve men, one from each tribe.”
In this opening parasha of D’varim, Moses recalls the tragedy of the twelve spies which resulted in the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, and perhaps can be considered as the cause of Moses’ own inability to enter the Land (he never would have had to hit the rock if the quicker route was taken!). Even though the outcome was catastrophic, Moses was willing to accept responsibility for it, and had the courage to admit that he approved of the plan, even though it turned out badly.
What a refreshing and honest response by Moses! It seems to me that most leaders today, be they congregational, civic, or governmental, are quick to back away from failed efforts. You can hear them say, “Not my fault! It was his fault! I never thought it was a good idea!”
True leadership requires more than a smidgen of honesty. Why does this seem to be in such short supply among our current leaders? Perhaps the fault lies in us: we seem to have short attention spans, and we’ve learned that leaders fabricate their own stories. Our expectations have been lowered, particularly as vicious attack ads destroy the opposition with seeming impunity.
On the other hand, a real leader is someone with an ego big enough to survive saying, “I was wrong” or “I accept the blame for this error.” Bad decisions are just what they are: bad decisions. If one made a decision in good faith and the decision seemed reasonable and appropriate when it was made, if things don’t turn out as we expected them to turn out, well, no one is perfect. The next time you make a decision that turns out to be wrong, be like Moses, and say “it looked good in my eyes” at the time. Your credibility and leadership will be enhanced.
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