Posted on July 26, 2024 by Rabbi David Katz
After decades of public service, a man gives up the mantle of leadership and endorses his second in command. Surrendering the highest office is not easy but the necessity of doing so is apparent to all. How uncomfortable it was for the whole nation to see his faltering on public display. We could not chalk it up to any long-standing speech impediment. When told there was no way forward his ambivalence was expected but what was most remarkable was the humility he displayed when the explanation and endorsement took place.
Of course, what I’m talking about is this week’s Torah portion, “Pinchas,” when, after 4 decades in the desert, Moses, who was slow of speech, turns over the reins of leadership to Joshua. In front of the entire nation Moses had angrily struck the rock that God had asked him to speak to, and that was enough for God to see that new leadership was necessary for the people to safely enter the land of Israel. Joshua, Moses’ second in command, was younger and an experienced fighter. He was a suitable choice to take Moses’ place.
It was Moses’ humility that the Sages concentrated on when they approached the Torah text. Though not explicitly stated, they found clear evidence of Moses’ generosity of spirit by the way he laid his hand on Joshua. The Sages drew lessons from the text about how one comes to be magnanimous.
Tonight, I’m going to describe how a leader balances ego and humility when transitioning out of power. Leaders are loved long after they leave office and pride of accomplishment will sustain them, but everyone knows that others can and will take their place. This is the perspective of wisdom.
During my sermon I’m going to recite a poem which I first read when it was tacked up on the bulletin board of the boys’ locker room in my high school. The poem was jarring and kept my ego in check. It still does.
“The Indispensable Man”
by Saxon White Kessinger
Sometime when you’re feeling important;
Sometime when your ego’s in bloom;
Sometime when you take it for granted,
You’re the best qualified in the room:
Sometime when you feel that your going,
Would leave an unfillable hole,
Just follow these simple instructions,
And see how they humble your soul.
Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your hand in it up to the wrist,
Pull it out and the hole that’s remaining,
Is a measure of how much you’ll be missed.
You can splash all you wish when you enter,
You may stir up the water galore,
But stop, and you’ll find that in no time,
It looks quite the same as before.
The moral of this quaint example,
Is to do just the best that you can,
Be proud of yourself but remember,
There’s no indispensable man.
See you tonight.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi David Katz
