Devar/5768/Beshalach
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…and what are we, that ye murmur against us? (Ex 16:7)
When the Children of Israel hungered in the wilderness and complained against Moses and against Aaron - it would have been natural for Moses to be offended and say, "after all I've done for you, you still complain?". However, he doesn't speak to them in that manner. He doesn't even get angry, rather he says to them, "who are we, anyway, that you complain against us?". He continues and says, and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD. (Ex 16:8)
Most of the leaders of the world - whether presently or in the past - feel themselves to be very important, and present themselves that way to others. There is, indeed, a commandment to honor the king: A king is treated with great honor, and each person must carry great fear and awe of him in his heart - as the verse states, 'thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee' (Deut 17:15), that fear of him will be over you. (Laws of Kings 2:1)
But Moses our Teacher was not like that; him of whom the Torah said, Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth. (Num 12:3). Likewise, it is brought as halachah for a king: He must always behave with extreme humility -- there was none greater than Moses our Teacher, and he said, 'what are we' (Ex 16:7). And he should bear their troubles and burden and complaints and anger 'as a nursing-father carrieth the sucking child' (Num 11:12). The Torah calls him a shepherd, 'to be shepherd over Jacob His servant' (see Psalms 78:71). And the manner of a shepherd is explained in our tradition 'Even as a shepherd that feedeth his flock, that gathereth the lambs in his arm, and carrieth them in his bosom, and gently leadeth those that give suck.' (Isa 40:11). (Laws of Kings 2:11)
What can we say about our own leaders? Of whom the best is an arrogant braggart, and the worst fetters and imprisons helpless young girls? Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards; they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.! (Isa 1:23). When will the voice be heard in our Land, crying out and demanding justice and law? To our leaders I can only quote the words of the prophet: Learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow (Isa 1:17)!
May it be His will that those who rule over us, sit and read the Torah portion this shabbat, and open their hearts to their Father in heaven.
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