In a July 1 Wall Street
Journal Op Ed. piece, Peggy Noonan, the former speech writer for President
George Bush (the senior), comments that
with the world in crisis, there is no genius in sight. She points out that during
WWII, there was a genius cluster that had become leaders of the Allied forces
that stopped Hitler as well as created NATO and other mechanisms to stop the
spread of Stalin’s Soviet Union. This “genius” cluster included FDR,
Churchill, de Gaulle, Eisenhower, Montgomery MacArthur, Patton and Nimitz. She
pointed out that at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
another “genius” cluster had assumed the mantle of leadership: Jefferson,
Washington, Franklin, Adams, and Hamilton to name a few. In the 1980’s with the
collapse of communism, Noonan points out that Pope John Paul II, Reagan, Thatcher,
Lech Valesa, Vaclav Havel also constituted a “genius cluster”. From Noonan’s article, it seems that genius
is NOT about criticizing, or tearing things down. Genius, and especially genius
in leadership is seeing the destruction and devastation of country, a society,
a people, an organization or the impending devastation or disaster and coming
up with a plan to fix, revive, rebuild and reconstitute something new from that
devastation. With that in mind, and looking at the BREXIT vote, no “genius
cluster” has emerged as all the leadership has resigned. While it is
understandable that those who were repudiated those leaders who wanted England
to remain in the EU resigned, those leaders who convinced the electorate to
leave (to Exit the EU) have also resigned or announce that they do not want to
assume leadership. Forget “genius cluster”, shame on the cynicism and arrogance
of those leaders and hucksters that misled and then abandoned the electorate.
Shame on the electorate for allowing themselves to be misled, to listen to only
what they wanted to hear and not think about the ramifications of their choice.
As we watch the two presumptive Presidential nominees, I find myself in
agreement with Peggy Noonan, there seems to be a lack of “genius cluster” in
leadership. That emptiness, that vacuum, is not necessarily because the “genius
cluster” doesn’t exist. It may or may not. However it seems that the
electorate, the people wouldn’t vote for the “genius cluster” if given the
choice because the “genius cluster” speaks truth to power, the “genius cluster”
explains a problem, offers a cogent explanation as to why it needs to be fixed,
offers a plan to fix it, and then inspires everyone to buy into and help in
achieving the plan.
This
morning we read from Parsha Korach. Following their punishment of wandering for
forty years because of their initial belief in the ten spies’ false report,
Korach, a member of Moshe Rabeinu’s family stirs up trouble. Moshe’s authority
is questioned, those who rebel are punished, and those who were silent
bystanders, those who did not speak out were also punished. The Parsha
concludes with God speaking to Moshe and enumerating Aaron’s priestly
responsibilities, all of the entitlements and all the sacrifices that come with
the position
Clearly the most poignant moment in the narrative is the
confrontation between Korach, Datan and Aviram, and all their followers with
Moshe and Aaron. After witnessing Miriam becoming a leper for speaking against
Moshe (Parsha B’Halotcha), after witnessing God’s anger and Moshe’s defense of
the people in Parsha B’Halotcha and Shlach Lecha, the rebellion is very
troubling. Moshe is shocked by it. He is hurt by it. The fact that he didn’t
want the job in the first place, the fact that he went to bat for his flock
time after time, leaves Moshe questioning his purpose. Vayishmah Moshe Vayipol Al
Panav – Moshe heard [the
complaints] and fell on his face (Num
16:4). Why did Moshe fall on his face?
The Medieval commentators offer a variety of explanations. Chizkuni, the 13th century French
commentator explains “Moshe fell to the ground in humiliation [at Korach
accusation]. Rashi, the 11th century French commentator explains
that “Moshe fell in despair, he felt powerless to appeal to God for a fourth
time. He defended the people after the Golden Calf, when they complained for no
good reason, and when they heeded the spies. There is an enormous difference
between falling due to humiliation or public embarrassment and falling down
upon the ground due to despair and the knowledge that one his helpless to fix a
bad situation. Soon after he falls to the ground, he figures out, along with
God’s help, how to solve the problem and consolidate his authority. Just as
important, the people learn the lesson about following the emptiness of cynical
self-centered leadership.
From the episode of Korach, we see the first example of
Noonan’s “genius cluster” at work. The “genius cluster” included Moshe, Aaron, Miriam,
Joshua, Caleb, Betzalel and Ohaliav (builders of the Mishkan) and of course
God. However forgetting the fact that this particular “genius cluster” had a
ringer in the HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the ‘genius cluster’ was focused upon
building and construction: building a Mishkan, building a society, building a
nation of adherents to Torah and God’s covenant. This type of leadership can neither afford to
be cynical, self-centered, nor arrogant. Rather, this type of leadership must
have the courage and the patience to lead people in a direction that is
required as opposed to what the people may desire. Indeed, great leadership
requires genius.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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