As you may know, this past week I travelled to the Rebbe's Ohel in honor of his 30th yahrzeit. I was joined by Jews of all stripes (as well as non-Jewish people, including NYC Mayor Eric Adams) coming to connect to the Rebbe's legacy.
Or perhaps "legacy" is the wrong word. The Rebbe wasn't just a unique leader who did incredible things for the world. More than anything, the Rebbe's greatest feat was "empowerment." In the words of the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks OBM, "the Rebbe didn't create followers; he created leaders. That was the Rebbe’s greatness. Not only did he lead, he was a source of leadership in others."
30 years after his passing, his still present voice is asking, begging, all of us to dig deep and lead.
The need for all of us to be all types of leaders is beautifully reflected in this week's Torah portion of Chukat:
The Jews who traveled through a desert for forty years received three gifts that would sustain them throughout their journey. Each miracle was in the merit of one of their three great leaders:
In Miriam's merit a rock-turned-well traveled with them, providing a never-ending source of water in the desert. In Aaron's merit the Clouds of Glory offered the Jews protection from the many dangers they faced, reminding them constantly of G-d’s care and love for them. And Moses was the leader in whose honor the daily manna fell from heaven.
Obviously, there is a direct link between each one of these three leaders, and the amazing miracles with which they are associated.
Miriam excelled in kindness. From her youth she devoted herself to her people's welfare. Even as a small girl, she assisted her mother as a midwife and brought food to the poor. When her helpless brother was in a basket floating down the Nile, it was Miriam watching from the reeds that was able to ensure her brother was saved and fed.
Because of her attribute of kindness, G-d provided the Jews with water. Always flowing downwards, water is the source of all life and growth. This is the gift Miriam gives the Jews. Not only a vital necessity, but a symbol of kindness, of growth, and of always giving graciously.
Aaron, the High Priest personified both closeness to G-d and "Shalom." His devotion to the service in the Temple revealed G-d's presence to the Jews in the desert. Hence, the protective Clouds of Glory, a source of pride and honor for a nation so carefully loved by G-d. Through his peace-making abilities, Aharon was also known for bringing tranquility back to marriages and friendships.
This was Aaron’s gift; revealing G-d’s closeness to us, and our closeness to each other.
Moshe was a Rebbe, a teacher, an inspiration and guiding force for the Jews. It was Moses who gave us the Torah and taught us everything we know. Torah is compared to bread because it is our source of sustenance.
Just like we digest the food that becomes part of our blood supply, Torah values are internalized within our personality, becoming the way we process life. Moshe’s contribution to the Jewish people was the manna, the transformative bread internalized within a Jew, a.k.a. the Torah. It was he who formed our psyche and paradigm on life.
Not all of us may have the platform of a world leader, Fortune 500 company CEO or famous non-profit head. But every one of us is in a position of influence of some sort - as a parent, a teacher, a spouse, or a friend. Everything we do affects somebody within our circle of influence. The question is what is our gift to those around us?
Are we Miriams, who will always be remembered together with water because of how we constantly share kindness and goodness around us?
Or are we going to be remembered as Aarons, as proud Jews who revealed the glory of G-d upon His people? Someone who helps build holy communities and bringing Jews together?
Or perhaps we will be teachers like Moshe, feeding the food of faith to those willing to listen, constantly inspiring others with words of wisdom and meaning?
Ideally, we should do parts of all three, just like Aaron also did kind things, and Miriam also taught Torah.
But which leader do you most personify? Are you giving the world a Well of Miriam, a protective Cloud of Glory, or Heavenly bread?
Which miracle are you creating for the world through your unique strengths?
The power is in you already. All you have to do to lean in and reveal it.
Wishing you a Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yitzi and Rishi Hein