The Leadership of Moses

Written in memory of my grandfather, Rabbi Moshe Malkielye z.l.

For someone aspiring to rule over a people, there are several paths:

One path is through election. The individual must present their capabilities to the people and convince them of their competence and leadership abilities, how they will benefit the people and improve their lives, while gaining supporters and admirers to help them be elected and overcome competitors and rivals who also seek rule and monarchy.

Another option is to achieve rule and monarchy by force, through a military coup or taking over state institutions, killing and slaughtering, imprisoning and exiling former rulers and opponents, and establishing one’s rule by instilling fear and terror within the people.

This was not the way Moses, the first leader of Israel, came into power. Moses, our teacher, who led the Israelites out of slavery, under whose leadership Israel became the chosen people, as told to Moses and Israel "And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). Moses who ascended to receive the Torah for the Israelites, fasting forty days and nights (Exodus 34:28). Moses, who sacrificed himself for the community, judging great and small, as it is said (Exodus 18:13), "And the people stood by Moses from morning until evening." Moses, in whose name the Torah is mentioned, "Remember the law of Moses, My servant", was not chosen for his superior competence or piety, but for his humility, compassion, and contemplation which were his inherent qualities.

"And Hashem saw that he had turned to look, and Hashem called to him out of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here I am" (Exodus 3:4). Our sages tell us that Hashem saw Moses looking at "the bush that was not consumed" (Exodus 3:2), a vision contrary to nature, and Moses did not let this rare event pass without contemplation and conclusion. Unlike the masses who might have settled for a photo by the burning bush, Moses says to himself, "I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt" (Exodus 3:3).

A true leader does not merely take photos, he does not attend to polls and public opinion, a true leader observes and learns from events and draws conclusions that guide his leadership, something attainable only if the leader is humble enough to admit there are things in creation he must learn, which were hitherto beyond his understanding.

Moses continued in this leadership style even after being chosen to lead the people of Israel. Despite his appointment to lead Israel and his closeness to the Creator, he did not become arrogant, he remained humble, maintaining his good qualities throughout his leadership.

When Moses was asked to strike the Nile, he refused and asked Aaron to do it instead, "And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt" (Exodus 8:2). Similarly, with the dust of the earth in the plague of lice, "And Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth" (Exodus 8:13). All this was due to his gratitude to the Nile, which saved him from Pharaoh after his birth when his basket floated on its waters, and to the dust of the earth "which protected him when he killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand" (Rashi). This was Moses the person, Moses the leader, whose name signifies he was drawn from water, a child nurtured in gratitude became a leader without altering his essence.

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These words are written in memory of our family’s patriarch, Moshe Malkielye z.l., marking the first anniversary of his passing this week.

Grandfather Moshe z.l. was true to his name. He never withdrew his hand or ceased from praising his Creator. Grandfather Moshe z.l. was an unforgettable figure of devotion to prayer and Torah, from youth to old age. Before the dawn of day, hours before sunrise, the Book of Psalms and the Zohar were open before him, and throughout the day until the synagogue he turned into his second home.

His life was full of hardships and struggles from his childhood, when he became orphaned from his mother, and later his days when he mourned his son, all while dedicating himself to the family's livelihood. His mouth never ceased from praising his Creator.

May his memory be blessed.