Moshe’s heart is in the right place, he takes action to defend the weak and cares about those who are suffering. Nevertheless, for three reasons Moshe does not seem like a very good choice as leader. (1) He thinks himself incapable, telling God over and over that this is the case. But it is in fact worse than this because it is not uncommon for individuals who see themselves on the inside as incapable, to utilize a psychological defence mechanism which essentially projects the opposite, that they are above others. Rashi, in fact, says precisely this about Moshe, quoting the Mechilta: “Moses sat down…, and the people stood: He sat like a king, and they [everyone who came to be judged] all stood. The matter displeased Jethro, that he [Moses] belittled the respect due [the people of] Israel, and he reproved Moses about it, as it is said: “Why do you sit by yourself, and they are all standing?” This simultaneous sense of being both inferior and superior, though not uncommon, portends bad results for a leader. (2) Moshe is not a good orator, which he himself attests to several times in past parshiot. (3) He is scared of the people he leads, as he says to God in last week’s parsha: “And Moshe cried out to God saying, what should I do about this people, a bit more and they will stone me.”
Yet, Moshe changed dramatically in all three areas over the next 40 years. He becomes eloquent, and speaks an entire book of the torah in his own words, as the Torah states at the beginning of Devarim, “These are the words that Moshe spoke…”. He becomes impeccably humble as the Torah states, “And the man Moshe was the most humble person of all people…” and he find the bravery to stand up to the Jewish people all through his time leading them in the desert, sometimes to a fault, as when he declares in sefer Bamidbar, “Listen to me you rebels, can we bring water from this rock?”.
What are the keys to Moshe’s ability to change and what can we learn from him? I think the characteristic which enables Moshe to constantly develop is contained in this week’s parsha, Yitro. It is Moshe’s willingness to accept rebuke, to be flexible enough to see things in a new way, a way other than he is used to; to take the advice of others seriously and put it into use, to try a new method, and to admit that the current way is not working as well as it could.
“The next day, Moses sat as magistrate among the people, while the people stood about Moses from morning until evening. But when Moses’ father-in-law saw how much he had to do for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing to the people? Why do you act alone, while all the people stand about you from morning until evening?” Moses replied to his father-in-law, “It is because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, it comes before me, and I decide between one person and another, and I make known the laws and teachings of God.” But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing you are doing is not right; you will surely wear yourself out, and these people as well. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You represent the people before God: you bring the disputes before God, and enjoin upon them the laws and the teachings, and make known to them the way they are to go and the practices they are to follow. You shall also seek out from among all the people capable men who fear God, trustworthy men who spurn ill-gotten gain. Set these over them as chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and let them judge the people at all times. Have them bring every major dispute to you, but let them decide every minor dispute themselves. Make it easier for yourself by letting them share the burden with you. If you do this—and God so commands you—you will be able to bear up; and all these people too will go home unwearied.” Moses heeded his father-in-law and did just as he had said.” (Exodus 18:13-24)
Though Moshe could have felt threatened by the suggestion of sharing power, he is open minded enough to hear what his father in law suggests and to see its merits and to try it. Ultimately it is this open mindedness which enables Moshe to become his best self. If Moshe is imperfect but willing to hear the suggestions of others and to be deeply flexible, then no doubt we can too.