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By Rabbi Daniela Szuster,
B´nei Israel Congregation, Costa Rica

Translated by Inés Baum - Proofreading by Ellen Zindler

This week’s parashah recounts, among other subjects, wise advice given to Moses by Jethro, his father-in-law. Jethro saw that Moses worked rigorously day and night, serving as the judge for his people. Moses was the only one with knowledge in law and the only one with authority to judge the people. Jethro wondered about this work of Moses and asked him: “What is this thing that you are doing to the people? Why do you sit by yourself, while all the people stand before you from morning till evening?” (Shemot 18:14).

Moses explained his task and Jethro warned him: “The thing you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people who are with you, for the matter is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.” (18:17-18)

Next, Jethro gave him advice to resolve this situation. He suggested that Moses choose men with special qualities and assign them different positions in the administering of justice, so as to divide the work, transmitting his knowledge to other people and appointing them as leaders and judges of the people. He also advised: “And they shall judge the people at all times; and it shall be that any major matter they shall bring to you, and they themselves shall judge every minor matter, making it easier for you, and they shall bear [the burden] with you.” (18:22).

Undoubtedly, this is one of the wisest pieces of advice a leader can receive. But it is not just advice concerning leadership but rather the manner in which we should carry out our daily work.

In the different roles we play in life, such as in our home, in our work or in any activity in which we participate, how many times do we convince ourselves that not only are we the best suited for specific roles, but also the only ones who can successfully manage them? We overload ourselves and do not dare to delegate.

How many times do we observe the manner in which all kinds of leaders, in their zeal to make newspaper headlines and in their desire to hold absolute power, avoid transmitting their knowledge and skills so that others may participate in the work? Without doubt, the good leader cannot grow and develop his leadership in solitude; he requires a group of people to whom he may delegate some tasks. If this leader disappeared some day, all that stood should not crumble to pieces, but rather go on operating notwithstanding his absence. This is where true leadership lies. If Moses had not divided the tasks, the people of Israel would have been left with no one to judge them upon his death, which would have created chaos.

Sometimes we think that, when delegating, we are impoverishing ourselves and losing our place. Regarding this belief, the book of Bamidbar (11:17) refers to the transmission made by God of Moses’ spirit to the wise men he elected. Rashi explains: “What did Moses resemble at that time? A candle placed upon a candelabrum; everyone lights from it, yet its brightness is not diminished.” When we work as a team and delegate, we are not impoverishing ourselves but rather enriching our labor and spirit. The book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) wisely proposes: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and has not another to lift him up” (Kohelet 4:9-10).

May God inspire us and lead us in our personal lives as well as in our community life, following this wise advice from Jethro.

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Forwarded by Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik, from Kol Shearit Israel Congregation, Panama.
Translated by Inés Baum and proofread by Ellen Zindler, from B’nei Israel Congregation, Costa Rica.

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