In America,
football is a game that involves incredibly large men, wearing pads all over
their body and a helmet in order to protect themselves from injury. Soccer
involves normal sized people, who run around a lot wearing shorts, t-shirt and
shin pads. In America, football means that there will often be horribly violent
collisions in order to prevent the advancement of the ball. In soccer, it often
appears that people “flop” down in order to prevent the advancement of the
ball. However living in Toronto means that Soccer is Football, and Football is
termed American Football. Knowing nothing about Soccer, (er, I mean Football),
I have been intrigued by the corruption scandal in the “Football’s” governing
body known as FIFFA. How ironic, that the Attorney General of the United States, the one country that loves Football more that it loves Futbol,
began arresting leaders within FIFFA for accepting bribes, corruption and
numerous other charges that reflect a corrupt governing body, and corrupt
leadership. Yet despite the enormity of the scandal, the head of FIFFA, Sepp
Blatter, was just re-elected to another term as the head of FIFFA. Blatter has
been described as Machiavellian in his leadership style, commenting that
Democracy doesn’t always lend itself to getting things done at FIFFA. He has
been described as dictatorial, who doesn’t hesitate to sending his compatriots
under the bus if it means that he preserves his grip on the FIFFA organization.
So how perfect was his comment the other day when his deputies, his vice
presidents were arrested and then he was re-elected to another term: “We, or I,
cannot monitor everyone all of the time... If people want to do wrong, they
will also try to hide it”. All of the
sudden, Mr. Blatter is pleading ignorance? All of the sudden he is not such a
powerful, Machiavellian, dictatorial force that managed to have the World Cup in
Qatar in 2022 and Russia in 2018? Taken to its logical conclusion, he seems
that he would welcome, a little help in monitoring those bribe taking corrupt
officials that serve beneath him.
This
Shabbat we read from Parsha Bahalotcha. For the previous two Parshiot,
Bemidbar and Naso, Bnai Yisroel has counted and prepared for their journey from
Sinai to Eretz Canaan. This week, the final preparations are ordered and
executed and the departure from Sinai begins. Aaron, Moshe’s brother and the
Kohen Gadol, lights the lamp for the Mishkan, the entire Levite tribe is
purified, offerings made and their service for maintenance of the Mishkan
begins. Final instructions for observing Pesach under these new conditions,
(they were not leaving Egypt anymore nor had they arrived in the land) were
offered, including the case of coming into contact with the deceased and
becoming spiritually impure. The narrative tells us the manner in which Bnai
Yisroel traveled: sheltered by a cloud during the day, and protected by a
pillar of fire at night. Then the complaining begins. They complain about the
Mannah. They complain about the food. They complain about Moshe’s leadership.
Moshe’s sister complains about his wife.
Throughout
the Torah reading, we see that is visibly uncomfortable with the power concentrated
upon. For Moshe, service to this organization, Bnai Yisroel, his a heavy burden
that can, at times be crippling. Hearing
the complaints about him, and seeing God’s “anger flair” against Bnai Yisroel,
Moshe pleads to God: Lo Uchal Anochi LVadi LaSeit et Kol Ham
HaZeh Ki Chaveid Mimeni –I alone
cannot carry this entire nation, for it is too heavy for me. (Num. 11:14)
The load is so heavy, the responsibility so awesome, Moshe would rather be
struck dead than have to continue in this context (num. 11:16). The Sanhedrin,
a court of 70 elders is established to help Moshe shoulder some of the burden
of ruling. Moshe asks his father-in-law, Yitro, a Midianite Priest, to travel
with Bnai Yisroel. Later when Moshe hears a report from Joshua, that Eldad and
Medad, two people prophesying in such a manner that it appears that they are
threatening Moshe’s power, Moshe’s response remains consistent with his belief
that there is such a thing as too much power concentrated in one person: U’Mi Yitein Kol Ha’Am Adoshem Neviim Ki Yitein
Adoshem et Rucho Aleihem – Would that
the entire people of Hashem could be prophets if Hashem would but place His
spirit upon them!” (Num. 11:29).
As a leader, Moshe was an
incredibly secure leader. He appears at wits end and exhausted during these
episodes. Moshe views his job is to serve his people and to lead a nation. He
doesn’t view the primary responsibility of his job as doing everything he can
to maintain power. Moshe exhibits humility and not self-serving arrogance. Make no mistake, Moshe knows exactly what is
going on in his camp and in his organization. He also understands that corruption
and failure to follow the rules will force the Shechina, the aspect of God that
dwells within the camp, to leave and without the Shechina, without God’s
presence in the Camp, Bnai Yisroel is neither holy nor protected. I wonder if
Sepp Blatter understands if FIFFA’s sponsors such as Addidas, Nike, Visa and
McDonalds to name a few, ceased to remain in the FIFFA camp, then he and FIFFA
become unprotected.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
No comments:
Post a Comment