Handing Over Leadership

The end of the Torah describes the handing over of the leadership of the Jewish people. Moshe Rabbeinu was commanded to make a smooth transition to direct and encourage Joshua, for this most difficult task.

The ceremony of “Semicha” where Moshe placed his hand on the head of Yehoshua, was done before all of Israel. There was to be no doubt that he was the one designated by Hashem to lead the people into the Promised Land.

From the text of the Torah, we see that Moshe had mixed feelings about losing the position he held for forty years. At the age of 120, he was in perfect health, and he desperately wanted to enter Israel.

On the other hand, Yehoshua was his loyal student, and there was no doubt that he was the most deserving to succeed him. Moshe even suggested that he be allowed to become Yehoshua’s student.

We see a similar situation when King David was told that he would not be allowed to build the Temple. Although he was disappointed, he was happy to know that his son, Shlomo, would build it instead.

Parents and teachers should never be in competition with their children and students. They should be thrilled to see them surpass them. They should feel proud that their teachings and principles will live on, in the next generation. There always comes a time when the mantel needs to be passed to a new leader. Moshe demonstrated how to do this with grace and dignity.