The Right Way – Parshat Vaeira  

We find ourselves in a moral dilemma at times when we have two moral values that conflict. Is there always a correct course to choose? When there is enough money left at the end of the month for either a special treatment for an elderly parent or a tutor for a child with ADD, how do you choose? Can I allow for the perception of "how others view me" to become a consideration?

I was actually surprised in a strange way at the answer I found. There are two opposing values in Rabbinic literature. One phrase says that a person should not allow others to view him as a sinner if they are righteous.1 Another asks for a leader to sacrifice for his people, even if at times it means at his own expense and reputation.2

This occurs at the end of last week's parsha and then in the beginning of this week's parsha, Parshat Vaeira. After Moshe's initial visit to Paroh, the conditions of the slavery of the Israelites worsened. The people were bitter and complained to Moshe. Moshe then turned to God and asks why He has made life harder for the slaves. God answers that He had appeared to the forefathers and promised them the land of Canaan yet they didn’t complain to Him about their trials and tribulations in trying to live there.

"Moses loved his people and had contempt for the cheap tricks that come from letting them know how much he loved them and championed their cause. He loved them, and did not care if they knew it or not."  Rabbi Norman Lamm

Rabbi Lamm explains that Moshe, our greatest prophet, was not showing a lack of belief in God's word. Rather he preferred that God be angry with him instead of being angry with the people. What did Moshe do with the expectation to not allow others to view him as a sinner if they are righteous? He waived his right to be viewed righteously in order to draw God's ire to himself and not to the Israelites. That, says Rabbi Lamm, is sacrifice! That is what is required from a true leader who loves his flock.4

How many parents have allowed themselves to draw the ire of teachers so that they will be angry with them instead of their children? Are there still leaders out there who will behave in such a selfless manner?

How do we choose? When is it the right time? I don’t believe there is a single answer for every situation. However, Rabbi Lamm has set a high bar for leadership. In fact, Moshe Rabbeinu set a high bar. Can we transcend the here and now to reach such a level? I do not write from a place of having achieved that level. I don’t know if I will ever reach it. But it is something to think about.

Notes

  1. Berachot 31b
  2. Torah Temima Shemot 6:1. A similar thought is expressed by Rabbi Aharon Wolenitz in his book  Imrei Aharon. 1953. Om Publishing. P. 98
  3. Shemot 5:1-6:3
  4. This blog is based on Rabbi Norman Lamm's speech "Posture of Greatness" given in 1974. It can be found at the following link below https://archives.yu.edu/gsdl/collect/lammserm/index/assoc/HASH01be/396e1981.dir/doc.pdf#_ga=2.116632964.304111083.1610710858-1255137640.1597308497

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