It's about planting the seeds of wisdom deep within their hearts.
In Sifrei Devarim, when it says Moses "spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people," it’s not just a literal description. The text emphasizes that he "inserted" the words into their ears. He didn’t just speak at them, he spoke to them, ensuring the message resonated within their very being. He made it unforgettable.
But there's something else fascinating here, a subtle but powerful point about leadership and humility. The text goes on: "He and Hoshea the son of Nun." Now, you might be thinking, isn't this Hoshea the same person Moses later calls Yehoshua (Joshua)? Indeed! As we read in Numbers 13:16, "And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Yehoshua."
So why, then, does it say "He and Hoshea the son of Nun" here? The Sifrei tells us it's to teach us about the righteousness – the integrity and humility – of Yehoshua. The text anticipates that we might assume Yehoshua's head "swelled" with his newfound authority. But no! Even as he was being elevated, he remained grounded, still "Hoshea" in his essence. Even though he was appointed to be the leader, he remained Hoshea in his righteousness. The text wants to show us that true leadership doesn't come from power, but from character.
This concept – of remaining true to one's self, even in the face of great change – appears elsewhere in our tradition. The Sifrei draws parallels with other great figures.
Think about Yosef (Joseph). The verse says, "And Yosef was in Egypt." (Shemot 1:5). Do we not already know that Yosef was in Egypt? Of course! The text isn't stating the obvious; it's highlighting Yosef's righteousness. Before he was a powerful vizier, he was just Yosef, tending sheep with his brothers (Bereshith 37:2). And even when he rose to immense power in Egypt, he remained true to his core values. He remained, essentially, the same Yosef.
Similarly, consider David. The verse says, "and David was the smallest (i.e., the youngest)." (I Samuel 17:14). Again, isn't that obvious? But as the Sifrei points out, the intent is to remind us of David's essential character. Before he was king, he was just a shepherd boy, "tending the sheep" of his father (I Samuel 16:11). And even when he became the king of Israel, he remained, in his heart, "David" in his smallness, his humility.
What does this all mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that true greatness isn't about titles or positions, but about the qualities we carry within ourselves. It's about remaining grounded, humble, and true to our values, no matter what life throws our way. It’s about remembering who we are, even when the world tries to tell us who we should be. Can we, like Yehoshua, Yosef, and David, hold onto our core selves, even as we grow and change? That, perhaps, is the greatest leadership lesson of all.