I was studying Torah with a dear friend this week and following the session, he made his way to the subway to catch a train home. While innocently sitting on the train minding his own business, a total stranger approached him and punched him smack in the face. Such an astounding thing has never happened to him in his life. Instinctively he punched his attacker back. The subway doors opened right then, preventing a great commotion.
America is in the process of electing a new president. An ordeal that is nothing but a big boxing arena. Everybody is out to see who can land the hardest punch, for he who punches the strongest is crowned the victor. It is a messy procedure because of the dirt that is smeared on rival candidates’ profiles. If a politician wants to gain popularity, he shamelessly punches his contender in the face rather than portray himself as a viable nominee. A true head chooses the respectable route to gain the nation’s esteem; he exhibits the qualities of a leader and demonstrates his virtues, thereby elevating himself without quashing his opponents.
As a small child, Reb Zalman Aharon (the Raza), the older brother of the Rebbe Sholom Dov Ber of Lubavitch (the Rashab) often complained that he was noticeably shorter than his younger brother. One day, the Raza sneaked up behind his brother and pushed him lightly into a small ditch. As the Rashab stood up in surprise, the Raza seized the moment and pointed out that now he was taller. Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, the father of the two boys, observed the entire episode. The Rebbe asked for a chair, ordered the Raza to stand on it, and asked him, “Tell me, who is taller now?” The Raza answered excitedly that yet again he was taller. “Aha!” said Rabbi Shmuel. “There you are! To be bigger than your friend, there is no need to pull him down. Simply elevate yourself!”
Indeed it was by this principle that Israel’s greatest leader, Moses, conducted his life. In this week’s parsha when G-d revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush and requested that he confront Pharaoh and ultimately lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses immediately protested and asked G-d to elect a more suitable candidate. "Who am I to go to Pharaoh and to take Israel out of Egypt?" Our politicians would do well to learn the trait of humility from Moses. By portraying an opponent as a suitable and worthy candidate, rather than lowering himself, he proves his worthiness as a leader.
The principle ought to be applied in our personal lives. A friend of mine complained bitterly to me this week. He owns a successful restaurant that has provided nicely for him and his family over the last couple of years. Several months ago a restaurant opened up next door his place. Things started going downhill so he began to subtly bad-mouth the other place to his customers. I advised him to shape up his own place instead of belittling his neighbour… the superiority of his restaurant will automatically attract business.
When you get punched in the face, don’t punch back, straighten your shoulders and show them what you’ve got. It takes a unique strength of character to step back and walk away.The kind of strength of character that defines a real leader.