Where are the exemplary leaders? |
In Parshat Yitro, Moshe is overwhelmed with judging the nation on his own. Yitro, Moshe’s father in law noticed this and told Moshe that he will wear himself out if he continues to do everything on his own. Yitro’s suggestion is found in Shmot
18:21-23: You must seek out from among all the
people “anshei chayil”, capable men, “yirei Elokim”, God fearing men, “anshei
emet”. men of truth, “sonei vatza” who despise unjust gain. You must then
appoint them over the people as officers of thousands, officers of hundreds,
officers of fifties and officers of tens. Let them judge the people at all
times. Every major problem they will bring to you, and every minor problem they
shall judge by themselves. It will thus be easier for you since they will bear
the burden with you. If you do this and God commands you to do so, you will be
able to survive, and also this entire people will come to their place in peace. Moshe listened to his father in law
(Shmot 18-25-26): Moshe chose “anshei chayil”, capable
men from among all Yisrael and appointed them leaders over the people; officers
of thousands, officers of hundreds, officers of fifties and officers of tens.
They judged the people at all times. The difficult problems they would bring to
Moshe, and the simple problems they would judge by themselves. Rashi explains the meanings of these
characteristics: “Anshei Chayil”, capable men who are
wealthy and do not need to ingratiate themselves nor show favoritism. Chizkuni adds that they were brave
men who were able to handle the work and not be afraid of the people. Ramban points out that “Anshei
Chayil” are strong and quick just like the “Eshet Chayil”, woman of valor in
Mishlei (Proverbs) who is strong and quick with taking care of her household
tasks. Rashi continues: “Anshei Emet”, men of truth who
command confidence, who are trusted and listened to. “Sonei Vatza”, hate unjust gain,
they “despise” their own property when they can obtain it only through
litigation. As it says in Bava Batra 58b, “Any judge from whom property is taken
through litigation is not fit to be a judge.” A judge should be extremely
sensitive to the possibility that he may be in possession of something that he
is not entitled to, that the case should never even get to court. Rashbam adds that bribery and
robbery are always called vatza. We see from here that Moshe sought
out good and honest leaders and judges and he found many who were able to help
him in judging the nation. Why is it that today we are having
such a difficult time finding honest leaders and judges? There are so many scandals in the
news that even if there are some good leaders, we don’t hear about them because
when you are a law abiding citizen, you don’t usually make the news. With the Israeli elections coming up
soon, we really need to search out good candidates and focus on the prayer of
“Hashiva Shofteinu”, “Restoration of Justice” and hope and pray that good,
honest people will lead us: Restore our judges as in earliest
times and our counselors as at first, remove from us sorrow and groan; and
reign over us- You, God, alone- with kindness and compassion, and justify us
through judgment. Blessed are You, God, the King Who loves righteousness and
judgment. |