You’re Afraid? Good!

Morris, the Governor’s most trusted assistant, died in his sleep one night. The Governor had depended on Morris for advice on every subject, from pending bills to wardrobe decisions. In addition, Morris had been his closest friend.

At the funeral, one eager beaver made his way to the Governor’s side. “Governor,” the man said, “is there a chance that I could take Morris’ place?”

“Certainly,” the governor replied. “But you’d better hurry. I think the undertaker is almost finished.”

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Rabbi Sholom Ber, the fifth Rebbe in the Chabad dynasty, once advised one of his Chassidim to become a Shochet (ritual slaughterer). The Chossid was reluctant: “But Rebbe, I’m afraid! It’s a big responsibility!”

The Rebbe smiled, and said: “Who then should I appoint as a Shochet? Someone who is not afraid? Your apprehension, shows on your fear of heaven and sincerity!”

Boy oh boy! Tell that to the wannabee celebrities and politicians out there… “I’m the best for the job!” “My experience shows that I can tackle any issue!” As if we can have 100% confidence in their ability to weather any storm…

Where’s the realization and [hence] apprehension of the responsibility that leadership requires? Isn’t it ironic that at the same time when speeches upon speeches of self idolizing hopeful’s, are being hounded into our ears constantly; polls show that 75% of Americans believe that there is a big lack of leadership in our country?

In this weeks Torah portion (see Rashi) we find a scene, where the newly appointed high priest Aharon, who’s time had arrived to sacrifice his first offering to G-d, stood on the side reluctant to begin his line of duty.

His brother Moshe came over to him and said: “Aharon! Why are you fearful? – Lekach nivcharta – You were chosen for this position!”

The holy Baal Shem Tov took those two words “Lekach nivcharta” and shined a deeper light into them;

It was at that moment, when Moshe saw the fear and hesitation of his brother Aharon to accept the highest position, that he finally understood that “Lekach nivcharta – it was because of your fear of heaven, that you were selected.”

Of course one must have the skills and calling for the ‘job’ of leadership, but some humility is just as much as an ingredient for the making of true leadership.

Take our Rebbe as an example; for a full year after his father-in-law’s passing, he refused to accept the mantle of leadership of the Chabad movement. Only a year later did he reluctantly agree, and the rest is history…

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If only this email would be forwarded to the wannabees, we would save billions of tax payers’ money on political campaigns….