Responsibilities of Leadership

ByAJWS Staff

AJWS On1Foot

Midrash Tanhuma, Mishpatim 2

Translation	Original
If a person of learning participates in public affairs and serves as judge or arbiter, he gives stability to the land... But if he sits in his home and says to himself, “What have the affairs of society to do with me?... Why should I trouble myself with the people’s voices of protest? Let my soul dwell in peace!”—if he does this, he overthrows the world. [translation by Hazon]	מַלְכָּהּ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה, בְּמִשְׁפָּט שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֵׂה, מַעֲמִיד אֶת הָאָרֶץ... אִם מֵשִׂים אָדָם עַצְמוֹ כִּתְרוּמָה הַזּוּ שְׁמוּשְׁלֶכֵת בְּזָוִיוֹת הַבָּיִת וְאוֹמֵר: מָה לִי בְּטוֹרַח הַצִּבּוּר ?מָה לִי בְּדִינֵיהֶם? מָה לִי לִשְׁמוֹעַ קוֹלָם? שָׁלוֹם עָלֶיךָ נַפְשִׁי! הֲרֵי זֶה מַחֲרִיב אֶת הָעוֹלָם.

Translation

Original

If a person of learning participates in public affairs and serves as judge or arbiter, he gives stability to the land... But if he sits in his home and says to himself, “What have the affairs of society to do with me?... Why should I trouble myself with the people’s voices of protest? Let my soul dwell in peace!”—if he does this, he overthrows the world. [translation by Hazon]

מַלְכָּהּ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה, בְּמִשְׁפָּט שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֵׂה, מַעֲמִיד אֶת הָאָרֶץ... אִם מֵשִׂים אָדָם עַצְמוֹ כִּתְרוּמָה הַזּוּ שְׁמוּשְׁלֶכֵת בְּזָוִיוֹת הַבָּיִת וְאוֹמֵר: מָה לִי בְּטוֹרַח הַצִּבּוּר ?מָה לִי בְּדִינֵיהֶם? מָה לִי לִשְׁמוֹעַ קוֹלָם? שָׁלוֹם עָלֶיךָ נַפְשִׁי! הֲרֵי זֶה מַחֲרִיב אֶת הָעוֹלָם.

1.Why do you think this text believes it is so problematic for leaders not to act?

2. What does this text say about the relationship between power and responsibility?

3. When do you sit at home when you might stand up and make a difference?

Midrash Tanhuma, Nitzavim 2

Translation	Original
"The heads of your tribes" (Deuteronomy 29:9) Even though I appointed over you heads, elders and officers, all of you are equal before Me, for the verse concludes, "All are the people of Israel." Another explanation: for you are all responsible for one another.[translation by AJWS]	ראשיכם שבטיכם אע"פ שמניתי לכם ראשים זקנים ושוטרים כולכם שוין לפני שנאמר וכל איש ישראל, ד"א כלכם ערבים זה בזה

1. What does the first explanation of the verse that the midrash offers us teach us about leadership? What about the second explanation?

2. According to this midrash, what are the goals of leadership?

3. Are there differences between leaders and non-leaders? If so, what kinds?

Exodus Rabbah 27:9

כל הימים שאדם חבר לא איכפת לו בצבור ואינו נענש עליו, נתמנה אדם בראש ונטל טלית לא יאמר לטובתי אני נזקק לא איכפת לי בצבור אלא כל טורח הצבור עליו, אם ראה אדם מעביר בייא על חבירו או עובר עבירה ולא ממחה בידו הוא נענש עליו, ורוח הקדש צווחת בני אם ערבת לרעך, אתה ערב עליו תקעת לזר כפיך.

Shemot_Rabbah.27.9

As long as one is but an ordinary scholar, he has no concern with the congregation and is not punished [for its lapses], but as soon as he is appointed head and dons the cloak [of leadership], he must no longer say: ‘I live for my own benefit, I care not about the congregation,’ but the whole burden of the community is on his shoulders. If he sees a man causing suffering to another, or transgressing, and does not prevent him, then he is held punishable. [Soncino translation]

1. Does this text apply to you? Why or why not?

2. Do these responsibilites shift in a more democratic society?

3. Is it fair to expect this of our leaders? Do you expect this of yourself?