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In Parshat Devarim, an exasperated Moshe tells the people, “I cannot carry you alone. The Lord, your God, has multiplied you and behold, you are today like the stars of heaven in abundance” (Devarim 1:9-10). Solving, handling, bearing the weight of the people’s problems has become too great for Moshe to endure. “I cannot carry you alone,” he cries. According to Rashi, however, Moshe’s issues over judging the people doesn’t come from his own frustrations with his role. Rather, “Moshe said to the people, ‘It is not on my own that I tell you this. It is from the mouth of the Holy One, Blessed be He.’” Thus, when Moshe says, “I cannot carry you alone,” what he really means is, “God is not permitting me to carry you alone.” Why would God not permit Moshe to carry the people alone?
Rav Moshe Feinstein asks this very question, and he explains that every person must believe that they can achieve greatness. Whether in Torah study or in other areas of life – we must all believe that we are capable of attaining our goals, and must never despair of our abilities. “Therefore, if Moshe appeared to be the only one who could bear the Jewish people, others would mistakenly conclude that they could never guide the people because they were not Moshe, and that no one else could ever assume the mantle of leadership. Therefore,” says Rav Moshe, “God commanded Moshe to appoint other people in various positions in order that the people should know that anyone could be a leader, not just Moshe” (Sefer Kol Ram, Parshat Devarim 7:370-371).
While it is true, “In Israel, none like Moshe arose again,” that does not mean that we cannot all be leaders in our own right and in our own way. Judaism requires every person to step forward and make their own unique contribution. Had Moshe been perceived as the only one who could guide the people, our national story would have ended with his death. It is true, we cannot be Moshe, but all of us can take on the responsibility to love and care for our people – to bear their pain and hardships, their triumphs and joys as our own. All of us can be leaders, and so just as God empowered us with His belief in our capabilities and potential, let us empower each other with our belief in our ability to lead others, to continue the Jewish story, and to always seek ways to make real and lasting contributions to the nation which God has called upon us all to serve.
Shabbat Shalom!
-Rabbi Dan
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