Behaalotecha; Numbers 8:1-12:16
The Israelites truly begin their march toward the Promised Land. This weeks portion describes the exact order in which the Israelites went out on their journey division-by-division, tribe-by-tribe beginning with Judah and in the rear the division of Dan made up of the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali.
There is discontent among the people however. They are getting tired of manna for food day in and day out. They have been building the tabernacle, training their troops and relocating and repositioning themselves in the desert. And the Torah says, The people took to complaining bitterly before God. The monotony of the preparations took its toll on the People.
God is angry that the people complain so much and the text describes how God punishes the people with a fire that is only contained by Moses intercession on behalf of the people. This is not the first time that Moses has intervened on the peoples behalf with God. During the sin of the Golden Calf, even as Moses anger flared, he kept God from destroying the children of Israel. God seems to have little patience as portrayed Biblically God seems to be quick to punish in many of the Biblical tales. And yet, Moses has a way to communicate with God that often calms the situation.
A second time in this portion a group of people complain about the lack of variety in their diet. They nostalgically recall the variety of food from Egyptmeat, and fish, cucumbers, leeks and onions and garlic. Again, Gods anger rises but finally Moses engages God in discussion and admits that the burdens of leadership are too great. Moses just cant take it anymorethe complaints, the anger directed at him for the situation the Children of Israel are in.
Anyone who has led a group or an organization can relate to the burdens of leadership. It is a delicate balance to help an institution or group of people move forward in their mission and fulfill their goals. There are always complainers and always detractors. There are always people who will do anything to undermine the leader and the institution. And sometimes leadership gets tired of carrying the weight of the group! They can get burnout!
God gives Moses good organizational advice that all leaders would be wise to follow. God tells Moses to get seventy elders and additional leaders and to bring them to the Tent of Meeting. God will share the spirit of leadership with each of them in order to bring aid and help to Moses and ultimately to successfully fulfilling the plan to bring the Children of Israel safely to the Promised Land. Every good leader knows that they cant do it alone but that there must be others that can be relied upon to share the responsibilities.
A president has his cabinet, a CEO has upper management, and a Synagogue president has fellow officers and the Board of Trustees. All who share in the responsibility of leadership be it Moses or a General must have trusted advisers and fellow leaders to share in the job.
Posted by Lee at June 1, 2004 12:14 PM
