Which character trait of Moshe was the most critical in his leadership of Bnei Yisrael? Explain why?
(After the first comment, you need to respond to someone else's comment and then give your own opinion.)
I think his most important trait is that he always kept his cool; he never got mad. He also was always watching out for the people. When the Jews sinned, he would always right away be up talking to Hashem and making sure that he forgived them, and he made sure that they would not be wiped out and that Hashem would keep them safe.
Jake: I think the trait you mentioned is essential to leading the nation, but I wouldn't necessarily deem it the most important. What we see throughout the second chapter of Sefer Shemot is this sense of humility and selflessness. What characterizes Moshe best is his love for Hashem and the nation (even sheep) - not for himself. What B'nei Yisrael needed most was a leader who maintained a constant support and care for its wellbeing. Moshe's humble attitude created a sense of unity and honor which would not be present were he not there. He may be this regular type of guy, but this attitude and care he keeps is what separates him from the rest.
Jake, kept his cool?????? He killed a man. Honestly, his greatest trait as a leader is his ability to stand up for himself. Though he did not "keep his cool" so to speak, he did fight for what he believed in. Standing up for your true identity is what leading is all about. In addition, Dylan's comments on him being humble are also key traits.
I beleive that his most important character trait is understanding. Much like Rabbi Lubetsky understands that I am personally enemies with technology and doesn't bother me about blogging every night. As a counslor, advisor and babysitter, I've needed to have a good deal of understandingwith my kids to be able to keep my head above water. If i couldn't understand what in the world possessed my kids to do the thngs they did, i never would have made it. Likewise, Moshe needed to be understanding that he is a leader of a nation that is building thier values from scratch. they were just, unlike him, slaves for thier entire lives. The process is going to be frustrating and without patience and understanding, Moshe wouldnt have been able to make it forty entire years. With reguard to Ethan's post. I'm in no way attacking it rather looking for an honest response because an interesting argument can certainly be made about this point. you claim Moshe stands up for himself. However, the minute he thinks people know what he did to the Egyptian, rather than facing the problem head on, or talking to Paroh about it, or even making a response to the Man who gave him the attitude about killing the Egyptian, he flees all the way to Midyan without a word. I don't think that's standing up for himself.
I think the fact that Moshe was so humbled and selfless poised him to become a great leader of the Israelites. WE see it right out of the gate when Hashem asks Moshe to take the Israelites out of slavery and Moshe modestly responds something along the lines of "Who am I to do this?" This shows that Moshe did not let this hugely important task get to his head and tamper with his decision making abilities. Ethan - I think it goes without saying that they're is a difference between standing up for yourself and murdering someone for someone else's revenge. Moshe's quick action to kill the Egyptian was certainly not a bright spot in his exceptional life, rather it was a case of pure irrational thinking. While his motives were good he did take it a bit to far in murdering the Egyptian.
The character traits that describe Moshe is his desire to keep peace and help others. Although Moshe killed an Egyptian, his real motive was to stop the fighting in order for to maintain a peaceful environment. There, it was just a case of irrational thinking. Another scenario where Moshe demands peace is when he comes across two Hebrews fighting. He immediately says to them, " Who are you guys to be fighting?" This causes them to stop. Later on, Moshe helps two women by providing them with water. This also shows how he cared for others around him.
I think his most important trait is that he always kept his cool; he never got mad. He also was always watching out for the people. When the Jews sinned, he would always right away be up talking to Hashem and making sure that he forgived them, and he made sure that they would not be wiped out and that Hashem would keep them safe.
ReplyDeletelet's focus only on the traits that we see in chapter 2.
ReplyDeleteJake: I think the trait you mentioned is essential to leading the nation, but I wouldn't necessarily deem it the most important.
ReplyDeleteWhat we see throughout the second chapter of Sefer Shemot is this sense of humility and selflessness. What characterizes Moshe best is his love for Hashem and the nation (even sheep) - not for himself. What B'nei Yisrael needed most was a leader who maintained a constant support and care for its wellbeing. Moshe's humble attitude created a sense of unity and honor which would not be present were he not there. He may be this regular type of guy, but this attitude and care he keeps is what separates him from the rest.
Jake, kept his cool?????? He killed a man. Honestly, his greatest trait as a leader is his ability to stand up for himself. Though he did not "keep his cool" so to speak, he did fight for what he believed in. Standing up for your true identity is what leading is all about. In addition, Dylan's comments on him being humble are also key traits.
ReplyDeleteI beleive that his most important character trait is understanding. Much like Rabbi Lubetsky understands that I am personally enemies with technology and doesn't bother me about blogging every night. As a counslor, advisor and babysitter, I've needed to have a good deal of understandingwith my kids to be able to keep my head above water. If i couldn't understand what in the world possessed my kids to do the thngs they did, i never would have made it. Likewise, Moshe needed to be understanding that he is a leader of a nation that is building thier values from scratch. they were just, unlike him, slaves for thier entire lives. The process is going to be frustrating and without patience and understanding, Moshe wouldnt have been able to make it forty entire years. With reguard to Ethan's post. I'm in no way attacking it rather looking for an honest response because an interesting argument can certainly be made about this point. you claim Moshe stands up for himself. However, the minute he thinks people know what he did to the Egyptian, rather than facing the problem head on, or talking to Paroh about it, or even making a response to the Man who gave him the attitude about killing the Egyptian, he flees all the way to Midyan without a word. I don't think that's standing up for himself.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that Moshe was so humbled and selfless poised him to become a great leader of the Israelites. WE see it right out of the gate when Hashem asks Moshe to take the Israelites out of slavery and Moshe modestly responds something along the lines of "Who am I to do this?" This shows that Moshe did not let this hugely important task get to his head and tamper with his decision making abilities.
ReplyDeleteEthan - I think it goes without saying that they're is a difference between standing up for yourself and murdering someone for someone else's revenge. Moshe's quick action to kill the Egyptian was certainly not a bright spot in his exceptional life, rather it was a case of pure irrational thinking. While his motives were good he did take it a bit to far in murdering the Egyptian.
The character traits that describe Moshe is his desire to keep peace and help others. Although Moshe killed an Egyptian, his real motive was to stop the fighting in order for to maintain a peaceful environment. There, it was just a case of irrational thinking. Another scenario where Moshe demands peace is when he comes across two Hebrews fighting. He immediately says to them, " Who are you guys to be fighting?" This causes them to stop. Later on, Moshe helps two women by providing them with water. This also shows how he cared for others around him.
ReplyDelete