Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought

Moses: Envoy of God, Envoy of His People by RABBI MOSHEH LICHTENSTEIN KTAV-Yeshivat Har Etzion, 2008, 286 pages I. MIDRASHIC METHODOLOGY Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein has contributed an original and inspiring study on Moshe Rabbenu’s leadership career. As he remarks in his foreword (pp. xiii-xiv), most midrashim and earlier mefarshim focused primarily on the superiority of Moshe’s prophecy and its religious implications for later generations. Until now, there had been no traditionally faithful systematic treatment of Moshe Rabbenu’s leadership. Non-Orthodox scholars have written copiously on this subject, but their deficient respect for the sanctity of the Torah and Moshe’s greatness renders their works largely unhelpful for believing Jews. In his final chapter (pp. 241-262), R. Lichtenstein elaborates on the delicate religious balance of viewing biblical heroes such as Moshe Rabbenu as exalted beyond our comprehension, yet human enough to guide our lives by example. Throughout his book, R. Lichtenstein offers insight into critical issues of leadership, including: (1) the naïveté of young leaders who want to change the world on their own, expect instant results, and refuse to accept failure; (2) the need for spiritual leaders to be involved in society, rather than remaining isolated from society and overly focused on their personal religious development; and (3) the struggles of leaders to galvanize their communities into action.