Haftarat Korach: Why You Should Never Pick the Person Who Desperately Wants the Job...

Many characteristics and attributes are exceedingly important in a leader. Some things depend on the situation and the context - like combat prowess, academic degrees, or physical and mental stamina.

I mean, heading a scientific research task force does not require exactly the same skills as a military task force! There are, however, some skills that make great leaders in ANY context. I would argue that humility and self-reflection are right up there at the top. Managers who can put aside their own egos, and both listen to the opinions of others AND thoughtfully observe how they themselves come across, will likely succeed. Independently, our Torah portion and Haftarah this week are each examining the traits of a leader. Read together, they make it abundantly clear what we should - and should not - be prioritizing at the head of the pack.

On its surface, you MIGHT be tempted to read our parashah as suggesting Korach, Moses' cousin, is arguing for democracy, while Moses himself is actually the one
advocating for nepotism. Korach (along with some allies) attempts to stage a coup, chiding Moses: "The whole community is holy, every one of them, and Adonai is in their midst. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly??" (Numbers 16:3) But I would argue that the focus isn't really the substance of Korach's accusation, but the choice to publicly shame Moses and try to undermine his authority. And Moses DOES respond with some humility and self-reflection, and then invites God to determine who should lead the people. As with so many things in life, it isn't really about WHAT you say, but HOW you say it.

I find it fascinating, then, that the rabbis chose a text from the First Book of Samuel to further emphasize this point. At this point - hundreds of years later - there is a vacuum of leadership, with one chaotic figure after another trying to govern the people, but ultimately with no long-term, good solutions.

Finally, the people turn to the prophet Samuel to plead for him to anoint a king. Samuel acquiesces, but with great reluctance. Our Haftarah, in large part, focuses on Samuel rebuking the people for demanding a regent: "... know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of Adonai by asking for a king.” (I Samuel, 12:17) Samuel is not interested in power for himself, but he IS a good emissary for God, who is humble and self-reflective, and who is often compared - even in the Biblical text itself (Jeremiah, 15:1 and Psalm 99:6) - to Moses. Instead, the people get King Saul. When he is first introduced to the reader, in I Samuel, 9:2, the text tells us: "[Saul was] as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else." On the one hand, what a looker! On the other, is that what makes a good leader???

In fact, I think the author is trying to send up a red flag. REAL leadership is found elsewhere. Between the Torah and the books of the prophets, we discern that we SHOULD be looking for substance, wisdom, and most definitely humbleness and self-awareness. The prophets often remind us that genuine leaders are awed and

daunted by the task of governing, and being in control of the fate of others. Anyone who runs TOWARDS power, and who praises themselves constantly, is to be treated with wariness and caution. Additionally, our two texts this week bear another sobering resemblance. In each, the prophet publicly and proactively emphasizes his own honest conduct. Essentially, they both say "tell me whom I have wronged, or how I have robbed or deceived any of you" (paraphrased from Num. 16:15 and I Samuel 12:3). Transparency is key. "I have nothing to hide!" Their actions speak for themselves, and they need only point to their records and their behaviors to prove their merits. The lesson for us all is two-fold. We need to KNOW what real leadership is supposed to be, and how it should look. And we need to be vigilant and tireless about demanding that, and no less. Like the ancient Israelites, we ourselves are responsible for the leaders we choose. Bad behavior is their fault too, for sure. But we are not absolved of guilt. Keep reminding yourself what good leadership looks like, and never, EVER compromise on demanding that of those who govern us.


Images in this blog post:
1. CC image courtesy of Robert Couse-Baker on Flickr
2. CC image courtesy of Wvk on Wikimedia
3. CC image courtesy of Paul Mercuri on Wikimedia
4. CC image courtesy of 3dman_eu on Pixabay