Judaism Can’t Be Outsourced
What is the defining quality of an authentic Jewish leader? In this week’s parsha, as Moses realizes that he will not lead the Jewish people into the Land of Israel and turns to God with one final request:
May Hashem appoint a leader over the congregation who will go out before them and come in before them, who will lead them out and bring them in. (Numbers 27:16–17)
At first glance, Moses seems to be asking for someone who will simply “go before” the people. But notice his wording carefully; he doesn’t ask for a leader who will do everything for the nation. Rather, he asks for someone who will lead them out and bring them in—a guide who walks with the people, teaches them, inspires them, and helps them become who they are capable of becoming.
This stands in sharp contrast to an earlier episode in the Torah when Moses delayed in returning from Mount Sinai, the people turned to Aaron and said:
Make us a god that will go before us, for this man Moses…we do not know what has become of him. (Exodus 32:1)
They wanted someone—or something—to go before them, to carry the burden of leadership and responsibility in their place. They were looking for someone to replace their own responsibility but Moses envisioned something entirely different. A Jewish leader is not someone who replaces the people’s commitment to Judaism, his role is to teach, guide, encourage, and serve as a living example. Living a Jewish life—performing mitzvos, studying Torah, praying, and building a relationship with Hashem—is something each of us must do ourselves.
The Talmud (Bava Basra 116a) teaches that if someone has a sick family member, he should seek out a sage and ask him to pray for mercy. Why go to a sage? Beyond receiving his prayers, the encounter itself becomes a teachable moment. A Jewish mentor teaches us what heartfelt prayer looks like and inspires us to find our own voice before the Almighty—not to replace our prayers with his, but to strengthen our own.
Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions about Judaism is the idea that it can be outsourced. Some people think, the rabbi will pray for me. The synagogue will preserve Judaism for my family. Someone else will keep the tradition alive. But Judaism teaches otherwise. A rabbi can teach Torah, answer questions, inspire growth, and offer guidance but no one can put on tefillin for you, keep Shabbos for you, recite your Shema for you, or develop your character for you. The Torah was given to an entire nation—not only to the rabbi. Every Jew has direct access to the Almighty, and every Jew has both the privilege and the responsibility to grow.
I was reminded of this years ago while counseling a young couple. The wife expressed disappointment with one of her husband’s recurring behaviors. I explained that it wasn’t unique to him—it was a challenge many husbands face. I admitted that I, too, had struggled with it during the early years of my marriage, but with guidance, reflection, and effort, I worked to become a more sensitive husband. She looked at me and said, “But you’re a rabbi; how does that apply to my husband?”
Her comment revealed a common misconception. Working on our character traits is not the job description of rabbis, it is the job description for every Jew. Rabbis are meant to facilitate growth, not monopolize it.
Joshua was chosen to succeed Moshe because he understood that great leadership does not create dependence—it creates growth. His goal was not to gather followers, but to help people become the very best versions of themselves.
Moses prayed for a leader who would walk before the people—but never instead of them. That remains the mission of every authentic Jewish leader today because in the end, Judaism can’t be outsourced.
Good Shabbos