True leadership requires self-sacrifice.
When a leader makes a decision, often we suspect that they are doing so for personal gain. Every person finds himself in a leadership role in some capacity or another. When we are in "leadership mode", we need to ask ourselves, “Am I acting like a proper leader?”
Often, when studying this week’s Torah portion about Moses begging G d to allow him to enter the Land of Israel, we understand it as a leader made a mistake and now he is paying the price and hoping to change the outcome. Simple as that.
However, the Malbim gives a deeper explanation: Had Moses led the people into the Land of Israel, he would have ushered in the Final Redemption, the culmination of human history. All of humankind would have been impacted by the enlightenment of the Messianic Age that would have ensued, but there was a cost.
Moses had to make a choice.
If he enters the land, the messianic era arrives but the generation that he led out of Egypt would not join him in the land, ever.
If he does not enter the land, he will only see the fulfillment of his lifelong dream thousands of years later when Moshiach arrives, may it be soon.
Moses took a leadership role. He sacrificed his own wellbeing, so the Jews of the desert can enter the land.
We all need to learn from Moses when making decisions. Are we asking ourselves, what’s in it for me? What’s in it for MY company or for MY community? Or, are we asking the correct question: What is good for the people, the community at large? Am I willing to make sacrifices, real personal sacrifices, "for the people"?
I want to share a powerful Chassidic story that reiterates this point.
One of the Alter Rebbe’s wealthy chassidim’s business affairs took a sharp turn for the worse. Instead of being affluent, he found himself in debt and unable to meet his commitments. Before his financial situation became public knowledge, he hurried to receive advice and blessings from the Alter Rebbe.
At a private audience, he poured out his heart to the Rebbe. The Alter Rebbe responded: “You are speaking about what you need. But you have not given a thought to what you are needed for.” The chassid fainted. When he came to, he began to devote himself to prayer and study, without thinking of his business concerns.
After the chassid had conducted himself in this fashion for some time, the Alter Rebbe sent for him. Standing before the Rebbe, the Alter Rebbe spoke to him gently: “Now you appreciate G‑d’s truth.... You can return home...; may G‑d grant you success.”
The man made his way home and discovered that the gloomy financial straits in which he found himself could be turned around. Shortly afterwards, his business took off again and he was back to helping others as a wealthy man.
When one is a true leader with a sense of mission, is helps them see what they are needed for. This awareness helps them think about themselves less. Their commitment to a purpose beyond self, empowers them to make “Moses like decisions” where the benefit of the community is the priority.
Have a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman
