From The Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat, June 21 and 22, 2024/15 and 16 Sivan 5784
A summary of this week’s Torah portion starts with the description of the seven-branched candelabrum (menorah), then the dedication of the Levites, the second Passover, the journey from Sinai to Moab, the complaints of the Israelites, the appointment of seventy elders to assist Moses, and Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses.
Commentators on the Torah ask two questions about the complaining and grievances from the Israelites. What caused them? What might have been Moses’ appropriate response? Rashi’s response was that the Israelites were exhausted from their journey, not enough rest, and they raised their voices. Another response was from Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch about the people being bored, since all their needs were met. Each day the Israelites received manna and water, Since the people were frustrated at having no goal, they complained to their leader, Moses.
Even Moses heard their complaints, and he had a few of his own. Moses feeling isolated and besieged, he asks G-d: “ Why have you dealt with Your servant, and why have I not enjoyed Your favor? The Torah related G-d’s response by telling Moses to appoint seventy elders and officers, men of experience, to share the burden. Torah has given us the suggested model for leadership – not to complain but rather to have people that experience the burden and competent to do the tasks.
Moses led the Israelites from bondage to freedom. Moses became their leader. Yet there were others that were jealous of Moses. Rather than be consumed with jealousy when he hears that Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, Moses encourages all the Israelites to join the ranks of the prophets by bearing witness to G-d. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch commented that there is no monopoly on leadership, which is granted by G-d to all people. Judaism, the synagogues and other institutions encourage active participation by all, and should not be the exclusive privilege of the wealthy.
The Torah never ceases to be relevant for each generation. Moses had the children of Israel from bondage through freedom from Egyptian slavery, and they complained. Throughout the millennia leaders from royalty to generals and dictators have come and gone the way of dust.
Today, the Europeans have many issues and complaints just like our country. Some voted for new leadership. Sometimes the leaders and their administrations may not always please their constituents. While no leader and their administration will please all the people all the time, it seems one may continue to have people that will be grumbling, displeased, and complaining, too.
Our country and many other countries have many organizations where people may volunteer, become leaders (Dugmahot/ leaders to bring light unto others) to help their fellow citizens.
I have a quote, “How wonderful it is that no one has to wait a minute to start gradually changing the world!” If you guessed the author was Anne Frank, you were correct. Anne Frank lived in a world that was at war, a young Jewish girl that did not survive the Holocaust, yet she had HOPE!
May this Shabbat bring the Hostages home, and the war in Israel and the IDF will be victorious in all their endeavors, and SHALOM/PEACE!
Shabbat Shalom v’Am Ysrael Chai,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
