This past week I was blessed to have my multi-generational family unite over Shavuot. Bli Ayin Harah, my mother, who is a real tsadeket, allowed me the opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of Kibud Av V’aym - Honoring Parents. The trip for my mother at her advanced age was not an easy one, but we both recognized that the opportunities to celebrate chagim together, while we are miles apart, are few and far between and so we must seize every chance we get. It was thanks to my daughter, Itiya, who insisted that she would come with her family as a way of accompanying my mother. I thank Hashem that I can look back and I can look forward and know that the heritage of a Torah based life forges connection between the generations.
I mention this because my youngest son and his wife (Avraham (Dov) and Sarah) visited as well. They too are a comforting replica of the past influencing the present. My father, Alav Hashalom, was named Avraham (Dov) and my mother (Yibadeh l’chayim) is named Sarah Rivkah. Coincidence or pre-ordained? Not only that but I am named for my paternal grandmother- Rachel Leah, so my son bears the full name of my father! My son is graduating college and he is pursuing a career in computer science. While he was with us before yom tov he had to submit a final project which was getting him very frustrated. At one point he declared that if he fails the course, he is dropping out of college and will go for smicha to become a Rabbi! I laughed out loud and said to him - really, you think being a Rabbi is easier than being an engineer?! How wrong you are. A Rabbi’s job is never done and barely appreciated!
This week’s Parsha, the longest in the Torah, is Parshat Naso. It begins with the completion of the counting of the census, this time focusing on the Leviim. The word נשא, is translated as take up or count. In Parshat Bamidbar we learned that the census was done in such a way that each person who was counted felt like he was a very important individual and not simply a number. The lifting up of peoples' spirit is a very important task of a leader.
The word - נשא- is the Hebrew word for Prince or the tribal leaders, with the addition of the letter yud, י. Additionally, the word משא, a burden, comes from the same root. It would seem to me that a leader carries with them the great responsibility of guiding their constituents in developing core values to live by, laws and limitations, as well as inculcating a transcendental mission for the group. Whether this is viewed as a heavy load to carry or a joyful undertaking may depend on that little YUD. The difference may be that of adding in an element of Yirat Shamayim, of G-dliness, to a leader’s manifest, his/her role is elevated to a higher level and the load is lightened.
Good leaders also need good followers! While one must always be the master of one’s own destiny and one chooses the life one wants to lead, it is not contradictory to belong to a group and have a joined purpose. Each of the nesiim, the Tribal leaders, brought the exact same sacrifice. The sacrifices, with the exact same components, are repeated twelve times! Why? Perhaps, says the Ramban, this is to emphasize that the korban itself is a mere physical manifestation of an inner connection to God. This closeness to Hashem can be experienced and felt in different ways by each person. While outwardly we may all appear the same, and we try to follow the mitzvot in the same way it is our inner motivation that is unique. A leader is one who recognizes individual strengths and talents and can garner these abilities towards a singular purpose
The Parsha also speaks about the laws of a Nazir. A nazir (nazirite) is a person who decides to take upon him or herself a vow to live a strict and holy lifestyle. The word nazir means to “separate,” which makes perfect sense considering that the nazir separates him/herself from worldly pleasures and the trivial pursuits of society. However, it may not be such a good thing to separate oneself from the community as indicated by the “sin -offering’ a nazir must bring at the end of the term. Separating oneself from personal evil inclinations or from a community that is involved in seemingly wrongful ways is understandable. It appears that being a member of a group, being a follower of a good and holy leader is praiseworthy. Being the leader of such a group is even more laudable.
It is with a great deal of respect that I recognize the avodat kodesh that our rabbis, our modern day nesiim, undertake. It is by no means an easy task. Just think of all the divrei Torah, the classes, the ministering to community needs that a Rabbi must perform on a regular week. How much more so when there is a Chag! So, as I told my son, don’t for a minute think it is easy to be a Rabbi. You can be a leader, you can be a follower, as long as you continue on the path of Torah and Mitzvot.
Take the opportunity to say thank you to your community rabbi this Shabbat.
Wishing you a Shabbat shalom.
Rochelle Brand, Ed.D
Head of School
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