|
The Torah describes four different inadvertent sins that require different sacrifices, depending on who sinned, the Kohen Gadol, the court, the leader, or a regular individual. While for the Kohen Gadol, the court, and the individual, the Torah frames the sacrifices based on the condition of “if” they sin (“im”), when it comes to the leader, the verse uses the word “asher” – “when the leader sins.” The Commentators are bothered by the assumption. Why do we assume the inevitably of the leader’s sin?
Rashi, quoting the midrash, focuses on a different function of the word “asher,” as it also doubles as an allusion to the word “ashrei,” meaning happy, praiseworthy, or fortunate. “Fortunate is the generation,” he writes, “whose leader sets his heart to bring an atonement sacrifice even for an inadvertent sin; how much more certain is it that he will repent for his willful sins.” It isn’t easy for any of us to admit our mistakes. We have so many delusions that conceal our mistakes from our awareness. It is even more common for leaders to not see their mistakes because the stakes are higher. It is indeed worthy of pausing and celebrating such leaders who are willing to admit their mistakes and are able to model proper behavior for others.
How do we overcome all the obstacles that prevent us from seeing our mistakes? The answer is to do what Rashi writes, to be “Nosen Lev”, to make time to take stock of what we are trying to accomplish, if we are doing what is needed to meet those goals, and if it is being done in the proper manner.
Making time for this kind of evaluation is invaluable.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Fink
| 
