Moshe Rabeinu, the most influential leader that our nation ever had, would not qualify contemporarily as a national political leader.
His response to Hashem’s instruction:
וְעַתָּ֣ה לְכָ֔ה וְאֶֽשְׁלָחֲךָ֖ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֑ה וְהוֹצֵ֛א אֶת־עַמִּ֥י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃
“Come, therefore, I will send you to Pharaoh, and you shall free My people, the Israelites, from Egypt.” – was to refuse it.
Not once , not twice. He rejected the offer four times! First claiming the Israelites will not believe that he was chosen to lead them. Later justifying his refusal by saying his speech is “slow”.
What was the real reason ?
During the course of this “conversation” it finally transpires that the real issue is Moshe Rabeinu’s concern that Ahron, the older brother will be envious.
It is only when Hashem reassures him that Ahron will be happy, that he accepts the mission. (How far from contemporary politics…)
Quite astonishing. Obviously Moshe Rabeinu knew what was at stake; Rescuing Am Yisrael from the most terrible slavery under the murderous regime of Egypt. Is this not an absolute overrider to what his older brother might (or might not) feel ? And after all – G-d is the ultimate source of ethics and moral behaviour. And so, isn’t Hashem’s instruction exceeding a personal issue with his older brother ?
Perhaps. Indeed, clearly the redemption of Am Yisrael is of paramount importance, and the possible effect on an individual person must be ignored. But the point Moshe Rabeinu made was, that he – simply can not do it. His love and affection to his older brother would “block” him spiritually and even physically from being able to perform this mission.
It might be exactly the very reason that Moshe was chosen to be the first leader of Am Yisrael.
Our sages (based on a Pasuk in Proverbs) describe Moshe Rabeinu as חכם לב – “A man whose heart is wise.
Best wishes and Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Chaim Michael Biberfeld