The Art of Leading: Korach, A Ten Commandments’ Moment

” The Lord said to Moses: Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony as a keepsake [and] a sign for rebellious ones. Then their complaints against Me will end and they will not die.”

Numbers 17:25

Shortly after passing the bar examination, lawyers are promptly sworn-in and can immediately practice law. Despite having never filed a lawsuit or submitted a legal brief to a judge, these fledgling attorneys are free to enter a courtroom with equal standing against well-seasoned attorneys. It is possible that a newbie-with one day of practicing law- could go toe-to-toe with an attorney with over thirty years of experience.

The collision between experienced counsel versus literal blank slates happens often after a new crop of admittees are sworn in. With their bar dues all paid, they are in the club. Personally, I have had many occasions having to walk through new attorneys on literally their first day of appearing in court. I cherished the moments. Often, I fell like a mom dropping their child off for the first day of kindergarten. There is nothing like directing a highly educated smartly dressed bright eyed barrister as to where the restrooms are located in the courthouse!

Leadership bears much similarity to the practice of law. The title can be of little substance. This notion was played out in the Korach Torah Portion. In Korach, Moses and Aaron faced a rebellion. Apparently, directing the exodus from Egypt and delivering the Ten Commandments and other laws was not sufficient to satisfy certain members of the Children of Israel standards of leadership.

Early in the Portion Korach, the following transaction occurred: “They [Korach and others] assembled against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for the entire congregation are all holy, and the Lord is in their midst. So why do you raise yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”” Number 16:3.

Thus, like admission to the Bar, those with Korach believed that their holy status alone was sufficient to assume greater position. Richard Elliott Friedman, in his Torah Commentary, notes that Korach’s intention were attached to the position of priesthood. Commentary at P. 480.

Often, people fail to grasp the notion that leadership is something that is earned. One must learn and experience many matters to become a leader. It is a process. Being part of the club does not automatically qualify you to become the club’s leader. Moses and Aaron, up to the point of Korach’s rebellion, had both experience and had proven themselves as the Israelite leaders. They were the ones who were directed by their deity to organize the people. They were the ones who confronted the Pharoah in Egypt. They engineered the Exodus. Moses, in his Mt. Sinai experience, gained the inner most knowledge of the law.

In the end, it is Aaron’s staff which is to serve as a reminder to the upstarts within the Israelite society. Leadership positions are to achieved the “old fashioned” way, they are earned. Aspiring individuals should seek the opportunity to be mentored. Often, there are positions that are stepping stones to greater leadership opportunities.

In the Torah Portion Korach, the rebellion was quashed. Aaron’s staff, however, should not only serve as a reminder for the rebellious. The staff should also serve as a reminder to leaders as well. Leaders have the responsibility to foster others for future roles in leadership. One important characteristic is to teach patience. Appreciation of the circumstances are important when ascending to a leadership role. Opportunities will come at opportune times!

Be well!!

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