I like to think that one of the reason’s the characters of the Bible resonate through the ages is because they are not superheroes, rather, they flawed human beings like the rest of us. 

In this week’s parashah, Beha’alotekha, Moses is certainly showing his flaws: he is getting older and he is quick to anger.  And yet, it is in this parashah that we learn of what is perhaps Moses’ greatest character trait – he is exceedingly humble. 

A Midrash teaches that the appointment of the Elders to assist Moses in leading the Israelites was a test.  Would he feel threatened by them or embrace them?  Moses’ response to Eldad and Medad prophesying in the camp shows that Moses passed the test.  “Would that all the people of God were prophets…” (Numbers 11:29) is Moses asking that their prophesy not be an aberration, but that this be a common condition.

In other words, Moses’ welcomed the help of others because he was humble enough to know he needed help.

We all do.  With what do you most need help?  In what ways can you be a helper?  How can we at Beth Tzedec work together to help?

(Inspired by Teaching Torah, page 243)

Shabbat Shalom,