True Leadership

And Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the Children of Israel, saying: This is the word that God has commanded.                             Numbers 30:2

          It is unusual for Moses to address God’s commandment specifically to the tribal leaders.

          My father explained that the Torah here teaches us a lesson in leadership. Our verse introduces the laws of vows, the essence of which is summarized in verse 3:

… he must do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

          A leader must set an example for the people. When leaders keep their promises, the people are likely to keep theirs. A leader in Israel has to show the way for the people to follow. This must be done in action, not merely in words. Leadership positions are for the purpose of serving the people, not for the glory of the leader. In serving the people, a leader’s job is to raise them to a higher level. Ultimately, a leader is not the master, but the servant of the people.

          The ideal of a Jewish leader was demonstrated in last week’s parasha. When God told Moses to prepare to die [Numbers27:13ff], Moses’ response was not at all on a personal level. Moses did not renew his request of the Almighty that he be allowed to cross the River Jordan and enter western Eretz Yisrael. Rather, Moses asked God to appoint a leader in his place:

… who will go out before them, and will come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, that the Congregation of the Eternal not be as a flock which has no shepherd.                                                Numbers 27:17

A true leader places the needs of his people above his own.