Timeless Torah

I admit it, I love a good story. It should contain heroes and villains, conflict and a happy ending. In fact, even more than, “They all lived happily ever after,” I personally enjoy a smart conclusion whereby the hero upstages or outsmarts his antagonist. A classic example of this can be found in this week’s Biblical rendition of Moses at the Burning Bush.

At that juncture Moses is exhorted by Hashem to free the Jews from bondage. The humble shepherd responds, “They (the Jews) will not believe me,” to which G-d retorts, “Cast your staff on the ground.” When the staff miraculously metamorphoses into a snake, for some strange reason Moses runs away in fear. Bear in mind, that Moses has already displayed great fortitude. Indeed, Judaism’s first leader has already spent several days arguing with Hashem, reiterating several times his unworthiness to lead Heaven’s chosen flock. So after having withstood a one-on-one, tête-à-tête with the Almighty Himself, what scared the indomitable Moses? Surely not an oversized worm?
According to the commentaries, Moses’ fear was related to a spiritual failing already exhibited on his part. The primordial snake in the Garden of Eden was deemed guilty for slandering G-d’s intentions as to why Adam and Eve should not partake of the Tree (the snake had suggested that G-d knew that humans would become Hashem’s equal). A similar transgression was now being leveled at Moses for slandering the Jews when he stated, “They will not believe me.” That is why, the Ramban explains, Moses, who understood the symbolism of the serpent, was fearful. Moses thought that the snake was possibly sent to bite him as a punishment and that is why he fled.

All of the above was mentioned so that you can appreciate the story of the Midrash as much as I did. A Roman matron said to Rebbe Yossi, “My god is greater than yours.” The Rabbi asked her why she thought so. She explained, “At the moment that your G-d revealed Himself to Moses in the bush, Moses covered his face but did not move. But when he saw the snake, which is my god, ‘Moses ran away!’”

Rebbe Yossi ingeniously replied. “When our G-d was revealed in the bush, there was no place to run. Where would he run? To the heavens, to the sea? Concerning our G-d it says, ‘Behold, I fill the heavens and the earth…’ With the snake however, which is your god, if a person merely runs three steps away he can escape and save himself, and this is why Moses ran away.”

Besides the great comeback, I think we can propose another reason for Moses’ flight. The Roman matron’s god was the snake, because that was the type of leadership to which she was accustomed. Her leaders were snake-like. Snakes will strike without cause or benefit, and we still find leaders of this variety today: dictators who punish innocent people in order to demonstrate how powerful they are.
Another aspect of this style of rule is that it relies on cowardly gossip. The petty tyrant and gossip work together: the power of the dictator depends upon the gossip that his ministers whisper behind each other’s backs. No one in the inner court dares make a misstep, for who knows if one’s so-called friends are not utilizing their friendship to collect juicy tidbits of (mis)information. Hence the dictator rules from fear.

Our teacher Moses ran away from this type of leadership. He wanted no part of it, for it completely contrary to the kindness and generosity of our forebears, and the kindness demanded of us by the Torah. Jewish leadership is built upon humility, mercy and righteousness, rather than the methods of a cold-blooded, poisonous viper. Jewish leaders should promote faith in G-d rather than fear of our superiors. One accomplishes this goal by demonstrating a sanctified style of command. The Jewish leader may use his staff, but only out of concern for his land and his people, not for personal reasons, and certainly not out of malice. This lesson applies to all of us: whether we are Chiefs or Indians, parents, educators or even camp counselors. When we behave with kindness, consideration, and love for those below us, we will merit respect, reward and success from He who is above us.