PINCHAS

Leadership! Excellent leadership! Righteous leadership! Where has it gone? We are suffering today from a tragic dearth of excellent leadership, of excellent leaders, that is, leaders that truly see themselves as servants of their people, not to mention servants of YHWH. Leaders who seek not what is excellent for them, but what is excellent for the people they are leading, shepherds who tend faithfully to their flock. Leaders who stand before power and do not bow down. Leaders who seize the moment in times of chaos. Leaders with vision, who see the future. Leaders with courage who demand only what is just. Leaders who see to a righteous successor. Leaders who know when to step down and leaders who know when to take hold of the reigns.

Leadership, righteous leadership, comes in all flavors and from all places, often unexpected and unsought for. But the definition of true, inspired leadership remains constant: selfless dedication and service to the people, total faith and trust in YHWH, love of truth and justice, a vision and a path for the people, the ability to act boldly when boldness is called for, to be fearless in the face of calamity, and to always conduct yourself with humility. May we today merit such righteous leaders!