“How can I bear unaided the trouble of you, and the burden, and the bickering!” (Devarim 1:12)
The Torah teaches us: if it was difficult for Moshe — “whom the Lord singled out, face to face” (34:10) — to lead the people, then all the more so, every leader must study the solution suggested by Yitro and, later, God. A tyrant, absolute monarch, dictator, or despot cannot be a good leader — whether it be of a country, a sports club, or a family. The person at the helm must surround themselves with “candidates who are wise, discerning, and experienced” (1:13), individuals with common sense and integrity, and a commitment to serving their public. The leader must know how to listen to the people’s feelings, make just decisions even regarding the other, and understand that power comes solely from the people. When Yehoshua fears an attempted coup, Moshe responds: “Are you wrought up on my account? Would that all God’s people were prophets, that God put the divine spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29).
