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Parshas Pinchas

Written by Benjamin A Rose

“And the Almighty said unto Moshe, ‘Take Yehoshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit and place your hand upon him (to designate him as the leader).” (Bamidbar 27:18)

Rashi, writes regarding this verse:

“Appoint a man to announce the laws loudly for Yehoshua so that he shall expound the Law during your lifetime; so that people shall not say concerning him, “he was not able to lift his head during the days of Moshe.”

What do we learn from this? We must do all that we can to strengthen the power of Torah leadership. The Almighty – and Moshe – wanted to ensure that the Jewish People had a leader to succeed Moshe who they would follow. Thus Moshe wanted his successor appointed before he died. He also wanted Joshua to publicly teach Torah in his presence to demonstrate that Moshe sanctioned and approved of Joshua’s position. This was a great kindness to both Joshua and the Jewish people!

The renowned Rabbi Akiva Eiger once visited Nicholsburg. Rabbi Mordechai Benet, the Rabbi of the city, honored Rabbi Eiger by asking him to deliver a lecture in Jewish law to his congregants on Shabbos. In the middle of the lecture, Rabbi Benet interrupted with a question which seemed to upset Rabbi Eiger’s entire argument. After a short pause, Rabbi Eiger descended from the pulpit, vanquished. After the service, Rabbi Benet begged Rabbi Eiger for his forgiveness. With a smile, Rabbi Eiger disclosed that he really knew the answer to the question.

“But, why didn’t you tell me in the synagogue that I was in error?” asked Rabbi Benet.

“I did not want to belittle you in the eyes of your congregation,” replied Rabbi Eiger. “After all, you are their leader; they look up to you. I am only a passerby; my reputation is inconsequential.”

If a great rabbi can forgo his own honor to strengthen the honor of another, then how much more so shouldnt we be able to also forgo our own honor for the honor of others?

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