This week we read of the Spies that Moshe sent.
As part of the final briefing before leaving to scout the land of Canaan for conquest, Moshe told the spies to check if “Are there any trees in it or not?” (13:20)
Strange question, indeed. Why wouldn’t there be trees?
Rashi, based on the Talmud, explains that Moshe meant that they should see if there was a righteous man to protect them with his merit.
But if that were Moshe’s intent, shouldn’t he have told them to search in the places of worship or in the houses of scholars rather than go through the marketplaces and fields seeking this pillar of society?
Rav M Mordechovitz explains that Moshe was also providing guidance for a what a true leader is. A leader is not someone who locks themselves away from the people and remains aloof.
A true leader is one who is found among the people, and he affects them in their everyday lives. The leader is a tree in the proverbial forest of their people’s lives, providing shade and promoting the biome.
How many contemporary leaders set themselves apart and have little to do with the common person? How effective are they?
