The book of Bamidbar Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Numbers, sheds light on this very question.
We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey. Moses is tasked with gathering seventy elders to share the burden of leadership. But wait a minute… hadn’t elders been appointed before? As we read in Exodus (3:16), even back in Egypt, there were elders. So why this special call to assemble seventy men?
The text poses this very question, and the answer takes us back to the harsh realities of Egyptian slavery. Remember Pharaoh's cunning plan to oppress the Israelites? "Let us be cunning with it…they appointed taskmasters over them” (Exodus 1:10–11). To understand the gravity of the situation, we need to delve into how Pharaoh implemented his cruel decree.
The Bamidbar Rabbah paints a vivid picture. Pharaoh, in a deceptive display of solidarity, gathered all of Israel. With a "gentle mouth" (befeh rakh), he feigned camaraderie, asking for a small favor. As it says, "The Egyptians ruthlessly [befarekh] coerced the children of Israel to work" (Exodus 1:13). He even picked up a basket and rake himself, making bricks alongside them. Who could refuse to work when the mighty Pharaoh himself was setting the example? The Israelites, driven by a sense of obligation and perhaps fear, labored diligently.
But the illusion shattered with nightfall. Pharaoh deployed overseers, demanding an impossible quota of bricks each day. Egyptian overseers were appointed over Israelite foremen, who in turn were responsible for the people. The situation deteriorated rapidly when straw, a necessary component for brickmaking, was withheld. When the daily brick count fell short, the Egyptian overseers mercilessly beat the Israelite foremen, as it is stated: “The foremen of the children of Israel…were beaten” (Exodus 5:14).
Here's the crucial point. These foremen, these leaders, chose to bear the brunt of the punishment themselves, shielding their people from further suffering. They prioritized the well-being of the community over their own safety. They said, ‘It is preferable that we are beaten and let the rest of the people not suffer.’ What an incredible act of selflessness!
So, when God instructs Moses to "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel," Moses is understandably hesitant. "Master of the universe," he says, "I do not know who is worthy and who is not worthy.” God provides the criteria: “Whom you know to be the elders of the people, and its foremen.”
These weren't just any elders. These were the leaders who had proven their dedication and compassion in the face of adversity. These were the foremen who had sacrificed themselves, absorbing the blows meant for their people. "Those elders and foremen who sacrificed themselves to be stricken for them in Egypt over the quota of the bricks, let them come and assume this prominence."
The text emphasizes that these leaders, by bearing the burden of the people, earned a unique honor. As Bamidbar Rabbah highlights, God drew a parallel between them and Moses. "They will bear the burden of the people with you" (Numbers 11:17). From this, we learn a profound lesson: anyone who sacrifices himself on behalf of Israel merits honor, prominence, and the Divine Presence.
The story circles back to its origin. The Bamidbar Rabbah concludes by asking: Who were these worthy leaders? They were the ones in whose regard it is written: “The foremen of the children of Israel…were beaten.”
This passage from Bamidbar Rabbah challenges us to consider what true leadership entails. It's not about wielding power or seeking personal gain. It's about empathy, sacrifice, and a willingness to stand in the gap for others. It’s about recognizing those who already are leaders, those who have proven it through their actions. It's a timeless reminder that the most profound acts of leadership often occur in the shadows, unnoticed by the masses, but deeply felt by those they serve. What kind of leader are we called to be? And how can we recognize and uplift those who embody these qualities in our own communities?