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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.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
