Moshe’s Successor

When Moshe Rabbeinu saw that the issue of inheritance came up with the Daughters of Tzlofchad, he realized that he must choose a replacement to lead the Jewish people after his own death.

It is interesting to note that he was not the one to suggest his faithful servant, Yehoshua, as his successor. He asked Hashem to help him find a leader who will, “Go out before them in war, and come before them in public affairs, who will bring them out and bring them in.”

Moshe also requested that the new leader be one who understood the spirits among men, and how they differ from one another. He needed to be patient and tolerant in handling a difficult nation.

The Avnei Ezel explained what was meant by “bring them in, and take them out.” The “taking them out, referred to being able to raise the spirit of the people from feeling of lowliness. And take them out from their impurities.

“Bringing them in,” referred to the ability of the leader to bring the people to levels of spiritual elevation and sanctity.

Hashem chose Yehoshua to be Moshe’s successor, as he possessed all of these lofty qualities.

We desperately need leaders that are able to lift the spirits of the people. Everyone needs encouragement and inspiration that we will achieve our lofty goals as individual and as a nation.