"And Hashem spoke to Moshe and said to him, ‘I am Hashem.’” (Shemos 6:2)." The Daas Zekainim addresses the meaning of "I am Hashem." He explains that even though Hashem had told Moshe previously, “I have made you like a god to Pharaoh,” this did not mean that Moshe was truly a god, even to Pharaoh. Rather, Hashem was emphasizing "I am Hashem" – meaning, Hashem remains the ultimate authority, even over you, Moshe.
This raises a question that the Torah commentaries grapple with: Since Hashem Himself appointed Moshe as a ruler over Pharaoh, why was it necessary to remind Moshe that Hashem remained in charge of Moshe? After all, as the Torah testifies about Moshe, "he was the most faithful in all My house." (Bamidbar 12:7). Further, the very act of Hashem appointing Moshe as a leader should have reinforced, not diminished, his perception of Hashem's authority over him. Accordingly, why did Hashem need to remind Moshe of His authority?
We learn from here a profound lesson about truth and human nature. Even though Moshe completely believed in Hashem's ultimate authority intellectually, there was still a concern. When someone acts as a leader day after day, even if it is someone as great as Moshe, his everyday experience of giving orders and being obeyed might subtly affect how he feels about another’s authority over him - even if that other authority, is Hashem Himself. This is not about conscious beliefs, but about subconscious feelings that develop through one’s actions and experiences. Of course, since we are talking about someone as great as Moshe, those feelings will be on a very small, subtle level, but nevertheless they are there, and we see that Hashem still felt the need to address the matter with Moshe.
A similar dynamic can occur with us as well. On a conscious level, we may know something to be true, but unconsciously, the roles that we play and the day-to-day actions that we take can gradually shift how we perceive that truth, sometimes even without us noticing. That is why Hashem specifically emphasized "I am Hashem" to Moshe - not because Moshe did not know it consciously, but rather to remind him and ensure that even on a small subconscious level, his position of authority would not alter his perception of Hashem’s authority over him.
The Gemara in Horayos (10a) provides a related story of Rabbi Gamliel and his appointees. When Rabbi Elazar Chisma and Rabbi Yochanan ben Gudgada (the “Appointees”) initially refused their appointments as community leaders, Rabban Gamliel told them: "Do you think I am giving you authority? I am giving you servitude, as it says (Melachim I 12:7) 'If today you will be a servant to these people.'" Rashi explains on this Gemara: "Authority is servitude to a person, as the burden of the many rests upon him." Rabbi Gamliel was telling the Appointees, I understand that you wish to refuse these leadership roles because you are concerned that the authority you will be given, may corrupt you or, “go to your head,” however, if you realize that I am offering you servitude rather than an honor, you will have nothing to fear.
This teaching is not just about staying humble, it is about recognizing the fundamental truth of being a leader in Klal Yisroel which is that the authority that one has as a leader, stems from the fact that one has many burdens and responsibilities to the ones that he is a leading – he is beholden to them like a servant to a master. Keeping this in mind, will not lead one to abuse one’s power.
