I learned so much from researching this weeks Torah portion!
There is controversy in the camp. Pinchas (son of Elazar, grandson of Aaron) rushes into Zimri's tent and kills both him and the Moabite woman he is with! Zimri is a Prince of Israel, and the leader of his tribe.
In G-d’s (Hashem's) name, Moses declares that Pinchas has single-handedly saved the Jews from a plague that would have wiped out all of Bnei Yisroel (Israelites). Hashem rewards Pinchas with a very long life and by making him a Kohain (A Priest) and declares that most of the Kohanim Gedolim (High Priests) will descend from him.
Preparing to enter the land of Israel, it is time to take stock of the nation. After the plague (which claimed the lives of 24,000 Jews), a 2nd census was taken. (The 1st census was at the beginning of the 40 years, and now this one at the end.) Moses and Elazar are put in charge of counting every man between the ages of 20 & 60. Once again the half-shekel coin is the key to the count. Each contributes one half shekel. They tally the results and come up with 601,730 - not much higher than the last census - due to the recent plague.
Now it is time to hand out the portions of land of Israel to the men. This idea doesn't sit well with a family of 5 sisters from the tribe of Menashe. They feel they're being duped out of land because their father passed away. These 5 daughters bring their case before Moses and they ask Moses to allow them to inherit their father's portion (double portion since their father was 1st-born). An early example of women's lib! Moses consults with G-d on the matter and he tells Moses that if a man has no sons, his daughters can inherit the land. So the daughters of Tzelafchad inherit a double portion.
The Parsha also includes the laws of the Korban Tamid, the daily sacrifice, and the laws of the Korban Mussaf. Mussaf means "additional." G-d commands that every morning & afternoon the Kohanim will offer a lamb on the Altar. Offered twice a day every day, including Shabbat- paid for with the half shekels collected from the nation once a year. When it comes to Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh & Yom Tov, the "community" chipped in for the extra.
Sound familiar? We chip in extra for Shabbat kiddush, dinners, holiday services, etc (I often say you expect the temple to be there when you want/need to go, but someone has to pay the electric bill all year...)
These days, praying takes the place of sacrifices. In our prayers we add Mussaf on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh & Yom Tov, reciting verses from the Torah that mention these sacrifices. On Rosh Chodesh we read the Torah portion that deals with the Korbanot of Rosh Chodesh. When the Beit Hamikdash, the Holy Temple is once again standing, Korbanot will be back. Until then it is up to all of Klal Yisroel (All of Israel) to remember these holy rituals.The words from the Torah that we read in Mussaf about the Korbanot are very powerful.
Do you remember when Moses hit the rock and G-d told him that his dream of entering the land of Israel would never come true? Well as the Jews prepared to enter the land, Moses realizes that the end is near and is concerned that the Israelites need a leader to take his place - one who has courage and is wise. Moses has two candidates or sons, but G-d has other plans. His only concern was that someone should be chosen to replace him to ensure a smooth transition and the continued safety & security. There was no sense of resentment towards the people or his eventual successor.
So, who was chosen? He's humble... he's learned... he's one of only two spies to bring back a good report about Eretz Yisroel... (did you pay attention to my Dvar a couple months back???)...it’s Joshua (Yehoshua Bin Nun)!
G-d asks Moses to appoint Joshua, his prize student, telling him how lucky he is to be chosen by G-d to bring the nation into Israel. First Moses is to put his hands on Joshua's head to transfer his greatness, then Joshua is to speak to the nation in Moses's presence. When Moses approached Joshua, he turns down the position on grounds of humility only giving Moses a stronger case. Humility is a great quality in a leader.
Moses puts his hands on Joshua's head and the spirit of Hashem flows from Moses's fingertips into Joshua's body, he is now filled with the wisdom to guide the Israelites in Moses absence. Moses teaches Joshua how to pronounce the holiest name of Hashem AND the mysteries of the Torah, then drapes him in beautiful garments & brings him before the Israelites.
Towards the end of his career, Moses once again demonstrated why he was G-d’s chosen leader for the chosen people And he sets an example for us on how we might approach leaving, not worrying about ourselves or our legacy and instead focusing on the future. Moses’ final gift to the Israelites was to ensure that there was Joshua ready to replace him and lead the community into the Promised Land.
The ability to focus on other people's needs when the "going gets tough" and not on your own wants and desires is the true definition of leadership. Being a leader is not about the recognition or accolades you might receive, but rather it's the constant focus on the specific needs that are most important to those who are following you. Therefore, if for one reason or another you're no longer able to lead them, you will automatically put their fears and concerns as your primary focus, giving thought to all those who believed in him, his vision, and his dream. It takes a lot to have your focus be on others when your ego, self-esteem, even self-worth are seemingly on the line. But it's precisely this which separates a good leader from a great one.
Leaving a job always brings with it a combination of excitement and sadness. On the one hand we look forward to the new opportunity which beckons us, excited about the challenges which lie ahead. However, at the same time there is often a sense of sadness to be leaving friends and colleagues behind; with the sense that there is still more work to be done.
In leaving there is also an awareness that the place will continue to function without you, and someone else (in all likelihood) will come in and do “your” job. It can be hard to accept that someone else will be taking your place (even when you are the one making the decision to leave).
This week we learned of the Kraus’s imminent transition. Having run the MJE Gramercy Community for the past six years - their note thanked us, the community for “our friendship, commitment and belief and partnership in the mission“
A leader is not intended to act instead of the people; rather, a master teacher should produce other leaders, not just followers - This Shabbat May we all be blessed to understand that a Jewish leader does not act instead of the people, but rather provides a model to follow.
With this in mind, let us all learn from the greats around us and strive to instill in ourselves and inspire in others the confidence and skill to be the leaders of the next generation.
Shabbat Shalom!
In Memory of Leiby Kletzky A”H - One Year Out
Once again THANK YOU & DISCLAIMER:
Torah Tots (my first stop when Molly/Daniel ask me to do the weekly D’var - TY Tami & family), Aish HaTorah (my second stop), Marc S for sharing his insightful D’var, Frances Z, Eytan R, Wendi E, Seth B, Micol Z / JCast / RabbiDanny.com for their advice and words of wisdom.
Please accept my sincere gratitude and know I shared your words with the best of intentions.
In Memory of Leiby Kletzky A”H - One Year Out
Once again THANK YOU & DISCLAIMER:
Torah Tots (my first stop when Molly/Daniel ask me to do the weekly D’var - TY Tami & family), Aish HaTorah (my second stop), Marc S for sharing his insightful D’var, Frances Z, Eytan R, Wendi E, Seth B, Micol Z / JCast / RabbiDanny.com for their advice and words of wisdom.
Please accept my sincere gratitude and know I shared your words with the best of intentions.
Thank you MJE
for giving us such a special and talented couple (family) - Rachel and Daniel Kraus
AND
the incredibly gifted,soul-lifting Chazzan Avi
A final special thank you to Zach’s loft, Bagel Boss (1st Ave bet 15th/16th St - 24 hour!!!),
Molly, Marisa, Brad, Gina, Ilona & Guy - along with the entire MJE Gramercy community!
This week:
MONDAY NIGHT 7/16 - Brazilian Night,
FRIDAY NIGHT 7/20 - Mid-Summer Mediterranean Barbeque,
FRIDAY NIGHT 7/20 - Mid-Summer Mediterranean Barbeque,
Register here: http://jewishexperience.org/register
