Please join us in shul this Shabbat Parashat Nitzavim/Vayeilech
This week’s parasha, parashat Nitzavim/Vayeilech sends a crucial message about the nature of leadership. As the Torah draws to a close, Moses turns to his appointed successor, Joshua, and tells him:
“Be strong and resolute, for it is you who shall go [ki atah tavo] with this people into the land that GOD swore to their fathers to give them…”
Notably, at the very beginning of the book of Joshua, God charges Joshua with a nearly identical blessing. Nearly identical, that is, except for one, single letter. Where Moses says “it is you who shall go with this people,” ki atah tavo, God says ”it is you who shall bring this people…” ki atah tavee.
This single letter drastically changes the meaning of this phrase: In Moses’ charge to Joshua, the nature of Joshua’s role in going into the Land itself is ambiguous. In God’s charge to Joshua, it is clear. To God, Joshua is to lead the people into the land, organize them as the cross the Jordan, and to even be the first to step foot in the land.
Rashi notes that these contrasting perspectives on the nature of Joshua’s role represent two different understandings of the nature of a leader. In Moses’ view, Joshua does not need to be the only figure leading the people into the land because he has a committee of Elders, of statesmen advisors, who can assist him. In this vision of leadership, a leader must lean on advisors and committees as guides. Ideally, of course, these aids will have a depth expertise in their field that helps guide a leader. Perhaps Moses, who himself had an advisory council of Elders, was speaking from personal experience.
God’s vision of a leader, however, is much more individualistic. According to God, it is to be Joshua alone who leads the people into the Land of Israel. This vision of leadership imagines that things get done best when they are organized under a single power who has maximum control. Perhaps God, who is an absolute leader, was passing advice to Joshua based on Divine leadership experience.
A truly good leader, of course, finds a balance between Moses’ and God’s advice. A truly good leader seeks council of experts, and works to understand the advice that they are given. However, they understand that, in the words of President Truman, the buck stops with them. A truly good leader takes advice from aids, but also takes responsibility for the decisions that they make.
We should, of course, keep this in mind when thinking about choosing our political leaders, but also incorporate this advice into our own lives when we make the choices of which our daily lives are composed: Be they financial, educational, relational, familial, or religious. Seek advice from your friends, relatives, and those who we trust. Really listen to what people tell you, internalize other perspectives, but know that when you make a decision the buck stops with you, they are your responsibility.
And, ultimately, in all aspects of our lives, we should heed the advice given from both God and Moses to Joshua: Be strong and resolute.
Read more about this week’s parasha here and here.
Have a gut shabbos!
-Rabbi Eitan Bloostein
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