By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO — Biblical leadership is hardly a democracy. God and God alone appoints most leaders. Even when the Israelites demanded a King, God had to endorse their choice.
According to the midrash, there is one important exception to the rule: someone appointed as a parnas, or communal leader. Rabbi Isaac said: “One does not appoint a communal leader without consulting the community, as it is written: ‘And Moses said to the Israelites: See, the Lord has singled out by name Bezalel, son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.'” (Ex. 35:30) (Bezalel was the artisan responsible for constructing the Mishkan.)
God asked Moses, “Moshe, do you think Bezalel is qualified and fit for the position of constructing the Mishkan?”
Moses answered: “Master of the Universe, if you think Bezalel is qualified, wouldn’t I also think so?”
God said: “Despite what you and I think, you still need to ask the people.”
Moses asked the Israelites: “Do you think Bezalel is qualified and fit for the position of constructing the Mishkan?”
The Israelites replied: “If the Holy One, Praised be God, and you Moses think he is qualified, wouldn’t we also think so?”
One might argue that the entire process of consulting Moshe and the Israelites about Bezalel was a charade. Since Bezalel was God’s choice, who was going to argue?! Yet in the midrash, God’s insistence on Moses and the people agreeing with the choice of Bezalel seems genuine. People do not like to follow leaders of whom they disapprove.
The midrash speaks to the human desire–some would say the right–to have a say in who will lead them. Even dictators, such as Fidel Castro, need the acquiescence of their subjects to remain in power. How much more so in a democracy do leaders need the approval of their citizens?
In a democracy regime change does not need violence or a coup, only a vote.
This is one of the reasons that democracy is such a noble form of government.
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Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Your comment may be sent to him at leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com, or posted on this website, per the instructions below.
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