In this week’s Torah reading, Parshat Beha’alotcha, we learn about Moses’ complaint to God – that he just can’t lead the people alone. He needs help and support.
God tells him to gather 70 elders/wise men and report to the mishkan, and then God will take some of Moses’ “spirit” and share it with them. (See Chapter 11, verses 14- 17). Moses is happy and willing!
When these 70 elders begin to prophesize, Moses’ #1 student, Joshua, seems bothered by the fact that people are now seemingly equal to Moses and have authority. Moses, however, says (to paraphrase: )
“I wish everyone could receive prophesy and be this close to God!”
What does this show about Moses? How does he see his role as leader? Why is he NOT threatened by these 70 men who can now have intimate conversations with God?
At the end of this week’s parsha, God says about Moses that no one is like him and that he is the most humble.
How is this fitting as a story that follows that incident mentioned before? How is Moses’ humility seen before, and why do you think that God wants to emphasize that no one is like Moses now?
Do you know anyone that you would describe as humble? What makes him/her humble, in your opinion?
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