A "metahalakhic" debate (a more theoretical and analytical approach to the source of the authority of Jewish law, the relationship between the sacred texts and their application in practice), unparalleled in the Talmud, is found in Bava Metzia 59b, to which many studies have been devoted good intellectual attitude
Covenant & Conversation for 5781, based on his book
Lessons in Leadership. The Office of Rabbi Sacks will carry on distributing these essays each week, so people around the world can continue to learn and be inspired by his Torah. (
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This week’s parsha could be entitled “The Birth of a Leader.” We see Moses, adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, growing up as a prince of Egypt. We see him as a young man, for the first time realising the implications of his true identity. He is, and knows he is, a member of an enslaved and suffering people: “Growing up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labour. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people” (Ex. 2:10).
This weekâs
parsha could be entitled âThe Birth of a Leader.â We see Moses, adopted by Pharaohâs daughter, growing up as a prince of Egypt. We see him as a young man, for the first time realizing the implications of his true identity. He is, and knows he is, a member of an enslaved and suffering people: âGrowing up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own peopleâ (Ex. 2:10).
He intervenes â he acts: the mark of a true leader. We see him intervene three times, twice in Egypt, once in Midian, to rescue victims of violence. We then witness the great scene at the Burning Bush where G-d summons him to lead his people to freedom. Moses hesitates four times until G-d becomes angry and Moses knows he has no other choice. This is a classic account of the genesis of a hero.