Messenger and Message: Biblical Advice for Choosing a Leader

Rabbi Joel Fleekop

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Catchy slogans, moving tributes, big tent platforms, beautifully worded speeches, and carefully crafted images, – all in the color scheme of red, white and blue.  For nearly a week, and for nearly a week to come, this is what has been transmitted to our television sets for an hour, or three, or even longer each night depending on choice of station.

Every four years political parties put on these week long shows in an effort to convince us, and especially our fellow citizens who live in swing states, that their candidate is the right person to lead our country into the future. While the mechanics of the system are flawed, from the heavily managed conventions, to the debatable debates, to the arcane and unfair Electoral College, we are lucky to have system of government where we, the people, have a hand in selecting the leaders of our nation.  We are lucky to have choice.

Throughout the Torah, no such choice is available to the Israelites.  Since their liberation from exile, Moses has been their singular human leader, a role that is fiercely defended by God.  Moses’ sister, Miriam, is afflicted with leprosy for speaking out against her brother.  Moreover, as punishment for challenging Moses’ command, the would-be leader Korach and his followers are swallowed up the earth, a geologic event that would impress even the most seasons California seismologist. 

But as the Torah approaches its close, Moses knows that the end of his life is approaching and with it the monolithic system of leadership he represents.

For the next several hundred years, until the establishment of the Davidic dynasty, and then more in theory than in practice, the Israelites will be without one leader.  Rather, they will be led by an assortment of individuals of varying skills, talents, and ethics; individuals, who as the many stories of the kings and prophets and judges illustrate, will often be in conflict with one another.

Upon entering the Promised Land, the Israelites will face many new tests and challenges.  As Moses warns, they will have pressure to assimilate and embrace the idolatrous customs of neighboring peoples.  In the absence of divinely provided manna, they will have the ethical responsibility to meet the needs of the communities most vulnerable – the widow, the orphan, and the stranger.  And, as we are this fall, they will face the challenge of knowing which leaders to embrace and follow.

While verse upon verse of Deuteronomy offer advice and warning to the Israelites regarding the first two challenges, Moses offers only a few words of guidance regarding the third.

In this week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, he warns, “If there arise in your midst a prophet, or a dream diviner and he gives you a sign or a portent, and the sign and portent come to pass.  Then he speaks to you, saying, ‘Let us follow and worship another god – whom you have not experienced’ - do not heed the words of that prophet or that dream-diviner.”

In their commentaries on the Torah, the rabbis ask, time and again, why this specific piece of advice.

Rabbi Akiva, believing that only a true prophet could perform a sign or portent, suggests that the prophet was once a faithful proponent of God’s message who, through some course of action, finds himself on the path of idolatry.  Akiva thus understands Moses warning as a reminder that even once great leaders can lose their direction and begin to lead their followers down incorrect and dangerous paths.

Don Isaac Abravanel, one of the 15th century’s greatest biblical scholars, focuses his commentary on the blinding power of charisma.  A statesmen himself, Abravanel surely recognizes the ease with which people can be taken by outward acts and appearances, whether it be a magical sign, an eloquent speech or dapper attire.  With this as his viewpoint, Abravanel finds in Moses’ warning the assertion that , “truth does not stand or fall by outward manifestations of success or otherwise, but by its own inner essence.  Truth does not depend on majorities, miracles or success for its confirmation.”

Though they understand the details of Moses’ warning differently, both Rabbi Akiva and Don Isaac Abravanel teach that it is incumbent on us to not blindly trust a messenger, but rather to examine the message.

That is certainly true in election years.  Each candidate, whether running for President or county commissioner, has his or her own set of beliefs and opinions.  As citizens we have an obligation not only to exercise the franchise but to do so an informed way.

Paying attention to a leader’s message and platform is important as we prepare to cast our ballots this November.  But it is also important to consider as we make more local, more personal choices of leaders – our selection of role models.  No matter our stage in life, there are people we look up to.  As Moses, Akiva, and Abravanel warn, we must be cautious not to base our choice of role models on appearances, charisma, or reputation, but rather on the values with which they live – on the true message of their lives.

Today, Erica and Ricky, you take your place as adults in the Jewish community.  In the coming years, you will have to make important choices about what role Judaism will play in your lives.  The values your parents have taught you – like the desire to end injustice of which you spoke Ricky - as well as the wonderful memories they have instilled – like those you described, Erica, of Passover - will play an important part in your decision.   But perhaps the biggest factor in determining where Judaism fits into your life in the future is your choice of Jewish role-model.  Will you strive to emulate someone for whom Judaism is on the periphery of their lives?   Or will you be attracted to the example of someone who is more Jewishly involved – someone who is active in youth group, attends Hebrew High, and most importantly, lives their Jewish values?  Your families and I hope, and trust that it will be the latter.

Magical signs and portents of the future.   Catchy slogans and Photo Ops.  In ancient times and modern, would be leaders have spent a lot of time and energy carefully crafting their images, finding ways to appeal to and entice followers.  As we chose our leaders - in the November election and in the election of role models we make each day - let us remember the guidance Moses’ offers in this week’s Torah reading.  Let us look beyond the messenger and focus on their message.  And may, the leaders we chose always guide us on the path to Tikkun Olam, the healing of our world. 

Shabbat Shalom