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Beit Midrash
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Let us take a look at what "set off" Moshe. The people complained that they lacked meat, even though they had an ample supply of manna. On one hand, the stakes were lower compared to some of the other episodes where Moshe showed strong leadership. However, this may have been the problem. Moshe rose to the occasion to fight for real issues: to save the lives of the people, to fight idolatry and defection from Hashem’s plan for the nation, etc. In this case, the matter was just dealing with human frailties, i.e., the desire for meat instead of manna. The man of G-d found it hard to deal with the disrespectful "kvetching" of people on such a mundane matter.
This idea may explain the analogy Moshe picked. A nursing mother wants nothing more than to feed her child. Yet sometimes the baby feels hungry and becomes impatient with his mother. A whimper would suffice to bring the mother to fulfill his desires, but instead he may cry inconsolably for what he wants, until he is not even able to enjoy it when his mother is ready. It is a rebellion without a cause. A baby does it in one way; a nation, including Bnei Yisrael, will have a more sophisticated type of tantrum. This was a human frailty that Moshe had trouble dealing with.
It is interesting how Hashem answered Moshe. As Moshe did not want to continue alone, Hashem had him find 70 people who were "elders of the nation and its task masters" (ibid.:16). Rashi points out that these were men who received lashes instead of Bnei Yisrael when the latter were unable to finish the unreasonable work Pharaoh had decreed upon them. They had given of themselves for the people in a matter that showed sensitivity to their brethren’s pain. Why should they get hit, especially when some of Jews probably did not pull their weight to the maximum? They were simply people who were sensitive to the suffering of others who lacked the backbone to absorb difficulties as they did. While Moshe also showed his sensitivity, he needed partners in this regard.
Leadership requires more than heroic acts and visionary shepherding. There is also a need for those who understand the way the simple person feels and are willing to deal with the pain that accompanies human frailty.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
