From the Rabbi:
In Parshat Pinchas we read:
Moshe spoke to the Lord, saying: “Let the Lord, God of the spirit of all flesh, appoint a man over the community who will go out before them and come in before them. Who will lead them out and bring them home. Let not the Lord’s community be like a sheep without a shepherd.” (Bamidbar 27:15-17)
In response, God says: “Take Yehoshua Bin Nun, a man infused with My spirit and lay your hands upon him. Have him stand before Elazar the Kohen and before the entire community and command him before their eyes. You shall place some of your majesty upon him, so that the entire community of B’nai Yisrael will obey him...” (Bamidbar 27:18-21
The Midrash, Bamidbar Rabba 21:14, quoted by Rashi, asks: What reason did Moshe have to make this request after declaring the order of the inheritance?
The Midrash answers: When Moshe saw the daughters of Tzelophchad inherit the properties from their father, Moshe said: “This is the time for me to claim my needs. Just as the daughters of Tzelophchad inherit, it is surely right that my sons should inherit my glory.”
So why didn't Moses' sons inherit, at least, some form of leading in the Jewish people? God answered Moshe with a quote from Mishlei 27:18: “‘He who tends the fig tree will enjoy its fruit.’ Your sons sat with their own concerns and were not involved in Torah study whereas Yehoshua served you and showed you great honor. He rose up early in the morning and remained late at night at your House of Assembly. He arranged the benches and spread out the mats. Since he served you with all of his strength, he is worthy to serve Israel and he should not lose his reward.”
Inspired by Yehoshua who proved himself in the way that he served Moshe, the Midrash is reminding us that greatness and leadership are not inherited but earned. We can take stock of this lesson and reflect on successes in our lives that we earned and those we inherited. Ultimately, it is the growth and success we earned through our own efforts that reveal our truest colors and greatest achievements.
Shabbat Shalom.
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NOTE: Wednesday's class is being paused until further notice.
Saturday at 8:00 pm - Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers)
Sunday at 7:00 pm - KOT Beit Midrash
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