Our tradition teaches us that each individual is unique, a world unto themselves, with their own distinct ruach (spirit) and temperament. And it’s precisely this understanding that lies at the heart of a fascinating passage in Bamidbar Rabbah 21.

This passage opens with Moses's plea to God, as found in Numbers 27:15-16: “Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord, God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation.’”

The Midrash uses this verse as a springboard to discuss the profound diversity of human nature. It notes a halakha, a point of Jewish law: "If one sees numerous multitudes of people, he recites: Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who knows all secrets. Just as their faces are not similar to one another, so their dispositions are not identical to one another, but rather, each has a disposition of his own."

Think about that for a moment. We praise God for knowing the secrets of each individual. The Midrash connects this to Job 28:25, "To set the calibration of the wind [laruaḥ]” – of the spirits of each and every person. According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, this verse emphasizes the individual nature of each person's spirit.

It’s said that Moses, nearing his death, recognized this inherent diversity within the Israelite people. He understood that leading such a varied group required a leader who could understand and accommodate each individual's unique disposition. He knew, as the Zohar tells us, that each soul has its own unique spark. That's why he implored God to appoint a leader who could "bear each and every one in accordance with his dispositions." The Midrash emphasizes that the verse says "spirits," not "spirit," highlighting the multiplicity of human nature.

But here's where the story takes an interesting turn. God, in essence, responds with a counter-request. The Midrash illustrates this with a parable: A king marries a woman, and the groomsman acts as a mediator. When the groomsman is dying, he asks the king to care for his wife. The king responds, "If you are commanding me regarding my wife, command my wife in my regard that she should be careful regarding my honor."

So, too, God says to Moses, according to Bamidbar Rabbah, “Instead of you commanding Me: ‘May the Lord…appoint,’ command them that they should be diligent regarding My honor.” In other words, instead of focusing solely on appointing a leader, Moses should also instruct the Israelites to be mindful of their duties to God. This is reflected in Numbers 28:2: “Command the children of Israel…My offering, My food.” The emphasis shifts to the importance of the offerings, a tangible expression of the people's devotion.

What does this all mean? It seems the Midrash is teaching us a vital lesson about leadership and community. While it's crucial to have leaders who understand and respect individual differences, it's equally important for the community to share a common commitment to something greater than themselves – in this case, their relationship with God.

It's a delicate balance, isn't it? Recognizing the unique spirit within each person while also fostering a sense of shared purpose and responsibility. Perhaps that's the key to building a truly thriving and harmonious community.