Most of you know that I find the study of leadership and creativity fascinating.  But, you may not all know (at least those of you who are newly introduced to this blog) that I not only find inspiration from secular leaders, scientists, and engineers, but from the Tanach- the Tora, Nevi’im (Prophets), and K’tuvim (Writings).   (What many of you call the bible.)

We Jews read a portion of the Tora each week- and a corresponding (at least to those who set this series of readings millennia ago) section from the Neviim.   The recent week (by the time this is posted) is the saga of the golden calf.  But, I’m really not going to talk about the golden calf, per se.

Instead, I have been considering  how the leadership of the Jews failed or succeeded during this escapade.  Why did Moshe (Moses) and Hashem not consider that a people, recently freed from slavery, would not become agitated when their human leader disappears for 40 days and nights?  Why not leave Moshe’s right hand man, Yehoshua (Joshua),  to help keep the people’s anxiety at bay?

Instead, Moshe climbs the mountain, leaving Yehoshua at the lower depths.  Completely isolating the people from their familiar leadership.

It turns out neither Aharon or Chur (Moshe’s nephew, the son of Miriam, Moshe’s sister, and Kalev ben Yefuna, one of the “good” spies) seem to have been the right surrogate leaders.  Oh, you can say that Aharon (Aaron) was around- but Aharon was Moshe’s spokesperson to Paroh (Pharoah)- not to the people.  They knew he was Moshe’s brother, but…

And, we first heard of Chur when he and Aharon supported Moshe’s hands during the battle with Amalek- which is how the Jews prevailed.  Whatever Chur did or did not do was not very useful- since he was assassinated by the people when he confronted them about the golden calf.  It is presumed he came down hard on the Jews for their transgressions.  And, Aharon witnessed that assassination.

Which probably makes Aharon’s response understandable.  We already know that Aharon was not a confrontational type, accustomed to using diplomacy and appeasement.   Which is how he probably reacted when he saw the assassination of Chur and the Jews’ continued desire to construct that calf.  He attempted to stall them, hoping that Moshe would arrive shortly.  (This was the 40^th day, after all.).

All this activity prevailed until Moshe came down.  When he did, all this nonsense stopped.   Because Moshe was one of the ultimate leaders.  A leader must absolutely love his (her) people and have their best interests in mind.  But, that same leader must be bold, display strength, and sometime induce his (her) people to do things they might not want to do.

Chur clearly knew what was ‘right’ and could lead them to do something they needed to do.  But, the people didn’t feel his love, his affection.  The Jews knew Aharon loved them- but his desire for peace at all costs meant that no one would follow him.    The two folks together- if they worked together- probably would have been ok.  (It’s why some companies have CEO’s and COO’s that provide great corporate leadership.)

But, they also lacked the drama that Moshe provided.  When he smashed Hashem’s creation, the two luchot- the tablets that Hashem had written with the 10 utterances- the world stopped around him.  The Jews knew they just lost a very important connection with Hashem, a gift given that would never be available again.

Which is why the rabbis chose the Haftara, the reading from Prophets that accompanies this Tora reading,  to be Eliyahu (Elija) and the competing sacrifices to Baal and Hashem.  What could be a more dramatic exposition that dousing a sacrifice and then watching Hashem ignite it?  It caused the Jews to abandon the errant ways of King Ahav and Jezebel, to return to Hashem’s rules and ways.  (It also caused Ahav to redouble his efforts to assassinate Eliyahu!)

Given his leadership and understanding of drama, it’s not surprising that it’s Eliyahu that will be heralding the arrival of Hashem’s Mashiach, the anointed one, the Messiah.

That may not quite be to what we aspire when we lead our endeavors- be they corporate, non-profit, or community groups.  But we need to insure that our “followers” know we have their best interests at heart, that we will lead them to the goals to which we aspire- and do so with flair and elan to insure the trip be enjoyable.

Go forth and lead.

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