The Privilege of Leadership

Based on Parasha U’Likcha by Rabbi Moshe Grylak

Translated and Adapted by Braha Bender

Throughout the Jewish Peoples travels in the desert, the important task of carrying the Mishkan (tabernacle) was given to the tribe of Levi. Every family in the tribe was responsible for the maintenance and transportation of a different part.

In Parashas Naso, the Torah lists the various responsibilities divided by family. We would expect that the role of the eldest brother would be listed first. After all, Jewish law requires younger siblings to show a respect for the eldest son in a family that is similar to the honor owed their mother and father. Several Jewish laws give the eldest son privileges and responsibilities that younger siblings do not have, particularly regarding inheritance.

But the role of the eldest son of Levi, Gershon, is listed second. His younger brother, Kehas, is listed first. Only after the responsibilities of Kehas are detailed does the Torah add, “Take a census of the sons of Gershon, as well…”

Why aren’t the elder brother Gershon’s privileges and responsibilities addressed first?

As it turns out, this isn’t the only time that a younger brother takes priority over an older brother in the Torah. Since the very first brothers of all time, Kayin and Hevel (Cain and Abel), younger brothers have been coming up first. Hevel’s offering was embraced by Hashem, while his older brother Kayin’s offering was not accepted.

Later on, Noach (Noah) had three sons but the leader among them, Shem, was not the eldest. Yishmael (Ishmael) relinquished his place to Yitzchak (Isaac). Between Yitzchak’s twins, Esav and Yaacov (Esau and Jacob), Yaacov the younger twin was given far greater privileges and responsibilities than his older brother.

Among the children and grandchildren of Yaacov, Reuven (Reuben) the eldest son lost his leadership status to Yoseph (Joseph). Between Yoseph’s children, Menasha the eldest was trumped by the younger Ephraim, and the primary seat of leadership was given to Yehuda (Judah). Moshe (Moses) was younger than his brother Aharon (Aaron), and even King David was the youngest of all his brothers (Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch on Genesis 48:19).

What this comes to teach us is that Torah leadership is not passed on by inheritance. Moral behavior is the foundation of a healthy society, and in order to build a moral society Torah leaders are expected to exemplify humility, integrity, courage, kindness, wisdom, and a plethora of other Torah ideals. Coming from a great family may give a person great potential but putting that potential into practice is up to every individual on their own.

Spiritual greatness cannot be taken for granted, even as the eldest son of a great tzaddik (righteous man). Kehas, the younger son of Levi, was given the privilege and responsibility of carrying the Ark of the Covenant, including the original tablets of the Torah contained therein. He earned the privilege of leadership. If he could, so can we.