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In most editions of the Sifri there is a small paragraph commenting on this week’s Torah portion of Netzavim. Here is the text according to the Vilna Gaon, translated: “‘You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem, your G-D; the heads of your tribe, your elders, and your officers, all of the men of Israel’ (Devarim 29:9). ‘Hashem spoke to Moshe, “Behold, your days are drawing near to die; summon Yehoshua, and both of you shall stand in the Tent of Meeting and I shall instruct him”‘ (Devarim 31:14). Rebbe Shimon ben Yochai said, blessed is The Judge Of Truth for there is no dishonesty or preferential treatment before Him, as it says, ‘A G-D of faith with no injustice, He is righteous and straight’. Moshe requested before Hashem, ‘Master Of The World since I am about to pass away from the world because of a great test [I did not pass], show me a trustworthy person who will stand over Israel, as I leave their hands to peace.’ As [Moshe] had said, ‘Who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall take them out and bring them in; and let the assembly of Hashem not be like sheep that have no shepherd’ (Bamidbar 27:17). This is explained in the tradition, tell me that the love of my soul is complete and will be like a wrap. What did Hashem respond to him? ‘If it is not informed to you the nicest… and the greatest of prophets go out to the end of the flock what I will do with them in the end. Four exiles will rule over the Jews and they will not have amongst them a shepherd, prophet, and sage. And so it says in the days of Achav, ‘I saw the Children of Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep without a shepherd.'”
The Raavad explains what the last part of this medrish is doing. “It mentions the ‘days of Achav’ as a reason for why it was correct to request and appoint a shepherd over them.” (Click here for Hebrew text.)
Moshe knew that Yehoshua would replace him, as we see from parshas Chukas that was quoted. However, he wanted to be assured that he would be a leader that would faithfully lead the Jews, like a dedicated shepherd cares for his flock. Hashem’s response was that I guarantee that he is an all-around perfect leader, one who is a prophet, sage, and a shepherd. Any leader who has less than all three qualities is like the nation having no leader, just as a flock wondering without its shepherd. This was the unfortunate state of the Jewish People as they went into their four exiles. If you look at history you will see that there were sages, kings, and prophets in the Babylonian exile, for example. But there wasn’t one single leader who encompassed all three qualities. Hashem assured Moshe that Yehoshua encompassed all three qualities, which is what makes a well-rounded leader, which is especially needed in the most impactful parts of Jewish history. Such as leading the Jewish People into the Land of Canaan for its conquest, or like building the Beis Hamikdash, where we saw that Shlomo Hamelech had all three of these qualities, and his reign was years of unification, just like in the days of Yehoshua. So too, may he come speedily in our days, one of the signs that Moshiach is here is that he will be this all-encompassing leader who will be a shepherd for every single Jew, a prophet and a sage, all in one, who will lead us in the pivotal moment in history of the Final Redemption.
But what does all this have to do with Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai’s statement that Hashem is honest and doesn’t play favorites? Also, why was the example of Achav needed to prove that beseeching a well-rounded leader who acts like a dedicated shepherd is a valid request and expectation?
Of course, Moshe Rabbeinu had perfect faith and trust in Hashem, that He would do what was best for Klal Yisrael. It is just human nature to question the unknown; not in a negative way, but in a caring way. Hashem’s response was to respond in a comforting manner by showing a sign and proof that Yehoshua would successfully lead the Jews into the Promise Land. The sign being that he is a shepherd (having pristine leadership qualities), prophet, and sage all in one, and the proof being that in the days of Achav, even though he was a king, and there were other prophets and sages living at the same time, the Jews still felt lost like a wandering flock, even if they weren’t exiled.
It would seem that Hashem was assuring Moshe Rabbeinu that if all the Jews are unified in serving Hashem properly, then they will receive a leader with all his perfect qualities, who will successfully lead them. That is why Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai blessed Hashem for being a truthful judge who does not do injustice has no biases. For when the Jewish People are deserving of a perfect leader, at the pivotal moments in history, Hashem sends them the leader that is needed to keep them together and guide them; but when not deserving of it Hashem gives them their leaders according to the level they deserve.
In these days of repentance may we change our lives completely and merit the ultimate leader, speedily in our days that will redeem us and bring us home for the Final Redemption!
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Dovid Shmuel Milder