There are many reasons why Hashem created us, and the entirety of existence,
with a myriad of differences. No one and nothing is the same, although
sometimes the differences are simply nuances. Hashem did this with a purpose in
mind for everyone and everything, in order that challenges can be faced and
overcome for the sake of doing His will and, optimally, serving Hashem to the
fullest. If everyone and everything were the same then there would not be any
challenges in life and there would be no room to grow physically, emotionally,
and intellectually. People have a natural, innate tendency to react to change
or things that are different than them, be it different looks or ideas. However
the question remains: what is the appropriate response when faced with someone
or something which is different, extraordinary, or just a change from the norm?
The Medrish Tanchuma discusses this issue in this week’s Torah portion
of Pinchas when Moshe asks Hashem who will replace him as leader once he passes
away. Moshe speaks in a harsh manner requesting, “Let the Lord, the G-d
of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation…” (Bamidbar
27:16). The Biur Ma’amarim on the Medrish Tanchuma suggests that the
intent of the following medrish is to explain why Moshe described Hashem as
“the God of spirits of all flesh.” The medrish begins by quoting halachos that
can also be found in Brachos 58b. The medrish says, “Our rabbis have taught us
that if one sees people who are different what bracha should be made? This is
what our rabbis have taught us: One who sees a black person, or an albino, or
one of really tall height, or one whose hands or body are filled with leprous
like symptoms, or one who is lame, one should say, ‘Blessed is the One who
makes the creatures different.’ One who saw a person who is missing a limb or
is blind or one filled with boils should say the blessing of ‘Blessed is the
True Judge.’ When is this last blessing said? Only when they were first fully
healthy people then they changed. But if they were that way from their mother’s
womb then one should say ‘Blessed is the One who makes the creatures
different.’ And if one sees exceptionally beautiful people or trees one should
say ‘Blessed is the One who has such in His universe.’ But if one sees a whole
group of 600,000 or more people he should say the blessing, ‘Blessed is the
Knower of secrets.’ Just as no one’s face are the same so to no one’s thought
process are similar to each other, rather every single individual has their own
mind. So to it says, ‘To make a weight for the spirit, and He meted out the
water with a measure’ (Iyov 28:25), every single person has his or her own
unique mind. Know that this is true for Moshe beseeches Hashem around the time
of his demise, and said to him, ‘Master Of The World it is well known before
You the minds of every individual, and none of Your children are similar to
each other. When I disappear from the world, may You please, if You want to
appoint a new ruler over them, appoint someone who will be able to be patient
and understanding with every single individual according to each one’s mind.’
How do we know this? From the fact that Moshe called upon Hashem saying ‘Let
the Lord, the G-d of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the
congregation…’” (Medrish Tanchuma, parshas Pinchas, paragraph 9 [or 10 in some
editions]. Click here and here for Hebrew text.)
The Biur Ma’amarim adds that the reason the
medrish mentions these halachos is because mentioned amongst them is the
blessing upon seeing a whole group of 600,000 Jews all at once, where one
should say the blessing of “Blessed is the Knower of secrets,” which means that
Hashem recognizes the secrets hidden in the hearts of every individual even
though they all have different mindsets. This explains why Hashem is called the
G-d of spirits, which is similar to what we say in our Shemone esray 3
times a day, enacted by the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah: ‘You graciously endow man
with wisdom… Endow us graciously from Yourself with wisdom, incite, and
discernment…’ So too Moshe said ‘You know the spirit of each individual,
appoint upon them a man similarly who can be patient and understanding of every
single individual.’
In reacting to diversity or change one can be a separatist or an antagonist,
speaking or acting in a racist manner, and maybe even reacting violently to
those who are different than them. But Halacha calls on every individual Jew to
take the opportunity when seeing something different or changed from its
original status to bless Hashem for creating so many unique things in the world
and always doing what is best for humanity. The Mishna Berura in chapter 225 in
fact says one only says this blessing once in a while when he or she has not
seen the like before or in a very long time. Also, to those who see the
crippled or lame, blind or very sick, they can only say that blessing if they
knew that person. Meaning, if there is an emotional charge inside oneself, and
excitement of seeing the uncommon or extraordinarily beautiful, or the
emotional pain and suffering upon seeing someone you know going through
terrible times, it warrants blessing Hashem. This positively channels one’s
emotions and thoughts towards a whole new appreciation of how Hashem is in
constant contact with and intimately involved in this world.
This is the way every Jew is supposed to react in such a situation. Every Jew
is also supposed to ask Hashem in his or her prayers every day to graciously
give us or really share with us the Divine ability to have knowledge,
intuition, and deep logical thinking in our own individual way.
What then was the unique quality Moshe was asking for in the next leader? If
you think about it, it is very profound! It can be very easy, and there are
many leaders who are able to handle and lead groups as a whole. Many times
though people hear or give complaints that their individual needs aren’t taken
care of. It is easier to just run an organization or institution, or even a
people with a general understanding or belief of what is best for the populace
or what is best for the organization. But Moshe Rabbeinu beseeches Hashem for
someone who would be sensitive and would be able to connect with and help every
individual on their own level, certainly no matter how they looked or what
condition they are in but even to understand where they are coming from, their
essence, and to work with every single individual.
That’s a quality of a true leader!