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Moshe Rabbeinu pleads with Bnei Yisrael at the beginning of this week's Parashah, imploring the Jewish people to believe in him and follow him to Eretz Yisrael. However, the Torah says they did not listen to Moshe “MiKotzeir Ru’ach UMeiAvodah Kashah,” “Because they were short of breath and tired from hard work” (Shemot 6:9). Imagine being Moshe Rabbeinu in this situation; Moshe was not someone who enjoyed the spotlight. He ran away to be a shepherd in Midyan and had to be forced by Hashem to return to the people. He subsequently arrives and  tries to convince Paroh to let the Jewish people go, but, in return, Paroh gives the Jews more work. As Moshe Rabbeinu tries to convince the Jews that they have a get out of jail ticket, a way out of slavery, they respond that they are too tired. Most of us would be distraught at this moment, as Bnei Yisrael ignore their way to freedom. It is then that Hashem tells Moshe Rabbeinu that it is time to once again confront Paroh, and Moshe responds, “Hein Bnei Yisrael Lo Shameu Eilai Ve’Eich Yishmaeini Paroh,” "The Children of Israel have not listened to me, so how will Pharoah" (Shemot 6:12). The simple understanding of this Pasuk provides an incredible insight into Moshe Rabbeinu’s humility; instead of getting angry at the people, he takes responsibility and blames himself.

The Sforno (ad. loc. s.v. Hein Bnei Yisrael) adds that Moshe Rabbeinu believed this because when he started talking to Paroh, things became worse for the Jewish people. They were forced to make their own mortar, and the work became much harder. Therefore, Moshe Rabbeinu is scared about what will happen if he goes back to Paroh as nothing good has occurred until now. Moshe Rabbeinu is not only not angry with the people, he sympathizes with them. Moshe Rabbeinu's humility and pride is an example of a great leader.

However, later in the Parashah, we see Moshe unafraid to go against Paroh. At the first Makkah, the Torah says,”Vayarem BaMateh Vayach Et HaMayim Asher BaYe’or LeEini Paroh ULeEinei Avadav Vayeihafechu Kol HaMayim Asher BaYe’or LeDam,” “He lifted his stick and hit the water in the river in the presence of Parah and his servants, and all of the water changed to blood" (Shemot 7:20). This Pasuk highlights a very different side of Moshe Rabbeinu. He stands strong against Paroh and all of his servants and hits the water before them. The question becomes, how is this the same Moshe Rabbeinu, who blamed himself for the people's failures and said he could not even talk before them? What changed in Moshe Rabbeinu? 

Perhaps we can say that these two traits of Moshe: humility before Hashem and the Jewish people and the pride and strength exhibited in front of the Egyptians is precisely what made Moshe Rabbeinu such a revered, robust leader and the greatest Navi ever. This lesson becomes apparent in a story told about Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, the Mir Rosh Yeshiva. Rav Nosson Tzvi would travel the world sharing Torah and raising money for the over 8,000 talmidim and Kollel students in the Yeshivah, even when stricken with debilitating Parkinson’s Disease. Rav Nosson Tzvi visited the Kotel with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and when they were about 10 feet away, Rav Finkel said he couldn't go. “I am not worthy,” he said. 

This is precisely the lesson of Moshe Rabbeinu. We have to be firm and loud advocates of Judaism and the beauty of Judaism and express that to the world. At the same time, we must remember, as we say on Yom Kippur, we came from dust and will return to the ground. Nevertheless, right now, we are in this world with a mission and goal. Although we may not fathom being on the level of Moshe Rabbeinu or even Rav Finkel, we still have to give it our all. As the Mishnah in Avot says, “Lo Alecha HaMelachah Ligmor VeLo Ata Ben Chorin LeHibatel Mimenah," “It is not up to us to finish the work. However, you are not free to ignore it” (Avot 2:16). Hopefully, the lessons of our Rebbeim and ancestors will help us take the pivotal steps in becoming leaders and helping spread Torah and Judaism in whichever way we can.