We find ourselves at a fascinating crossroads in the book of Numbers, Bamidbar, specifically in Bamidbar Rabbah 21. Moses, our leader, is aging. The question of succession looms large. "Moses spoke to the Lord, saying," the text tells us, "'May the Lord, God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation'" (Numbers 27:15-16). It sounds straightforward, a plea for a worthy successor. But as always with sacred texts, there's so much more going on beneath the surface.

The key, some sages suggest, lies in the Hebrew word yifkod, "appoint." According to Bamidbar Rabbah, this word can be understood not just as a request, but almost as a…command. As if Moses is saying, "The Lord shall appoint." So, what gives? What prompted Moses to make this request, especially now, after the matter of inheritance was settled?

Well, the Midrash (a method of interpreting biblical texts) hints at a very human moment. After the daughters of Tzelofchad were granted the right to inherit from their father, Moses, perhaps understandably, saw an opportunity. "If the daughters inherit," he thought, according to the text, "it is only right that my sons inherit my prominence."

Can you blame him? He's human, after all. He's led the people through unimaginable hardship. Shouldn’t his family benefit from his dedication?

But here's where the story takes a turn. God, in His infinite wisdom, has a different plan. He gently rebukes Moses, quoting Proverbs 27:18: "'The guardian of a fig tree will eat its fruit.'" The message? Your sons, despite their lineage, haven't put in the work. They haven't dedicated themselves to Torah study like they should have. They’ve been "sitting idly," as the text puts it.

Instead, Joshua, son of Nun, has been the true servant. He served Moses with unwavering dedication, arriving early and staying late at the house of assembly, arranging the benches and spreading the mats. In short, he immersed himself in the work. He earned it. "Because he served you with all his might," God tells Moses, "he is worthy of serving Israel, as he will not be deprived of his reward." As Ginzberg recounts in Legends of the Jews, Joshua’s devotion was unparalleled.

And so, God instructs Moses: "Take for you Joshua son of Nun" (Numbers 27:18) – a living embodiment of the proverb, "The guardian of a fig tree will eat its fruit."

What does this teach us? It’s a powerful lesson about meritocracy, about the importance of dedication and service. It reminds us that lineage and privilege don't guarantee success or leadership. True leadership is earned through hard work and unwavering commitment. It's about tending to the "fig tree" and reaping the rewards of our labor.

And maybe, just maybe, it's also a reminder that even the greatest leaders, like Moses, can have moments of human ambition, only to be reminded that true greatness lies in serving others and recognizing the potential in those who dedicate themselves to the task. It's a beautiful, complicated, and deeply human moment in our tradition.