Succession Planning: A Leader’s Heir: Parsha Curiosities: Pinchas
Upon divine confirmation that he wouldn’t enter the Promised Land, Moses forcefully asks G-d to assure him that the Children of Israel not be left like a “flock without a shepherd.” Our Sages highlight the unique introductory sentence, telling us that it’s a one-of-a-kind biblical verse! Rashi elucidates how it expresses the ultimate paradigm of true leadership and the selfless nature of Moses. At this fateful moment, his response was single-minded concern for his people. Yet Rashi comments on the very next verse that Moses said “it’s time to ask for my own needs, that my son should inherit my high position.” How can we reconcile this egregiously glaring inconsistency?
| Topics: | Joshua, Leadership, Pinchas |
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, serving one of Canada’s most dynamic Jewish communities. He also serves as Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service. He is an active member of Toronto’s Vaad HaRabbanim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis), and a voting member of the COR Kashruth Council of Canada’s executive rabbinical board. Rabbi Kaplan is featured regularly on many local television and radio shows. He is a sought after speaker, with hundreds of lectures on Chabad.org. He and his wife, Faygie, are blessed with eight children. Artistically endowed, the rabbi enjoys drawing, sketching and creating charcoal portraits.
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