Moshe's Communal Leadership: Taking Joseph's Bones from Egypt

Full Summary

This shiur examines the Torah (תורה)'s account of Moshe taking Joseph's bones from Egypt during the Exodus, focusing on several challenging questions from Rashi (רש"י) and the Talmud (תלמוד). The lecture begins by questioning why Joseph obligated his brothers rather than his children to ensure his burial, unlike Jacob who directly obligated his sons. The Talmud's statement that 'a wise heart takes mitzvahs' (chakam lev yikach mitzvahs) referring to Moshe raises the question of why this was considered uniquely wise when all Jews were fulfilling mitzvahs that night by borrowing silver and gold from the Egyptians. The shiur addresses the apparent contradiction between the Torah stating that Moshe took Joseph's bones and Joshua's later reference to the Jewish people taking them out of Egypt. The Talmudic principle that when someone begins a mitzvah (מצוה) but doesn't complete it, credit goes to the finisher, seems problematic since Moshe didn't voluntarily abandon the task but died before entering the Land. Rabbi Zweig explains this through the concept of communal versus individual perspective in leadership. Using the Midrash about Saul's father Ner who installed streetlights for the community's benefit, he demonstrates how true leaders think beyond personal needs. The Rambam (רמב"ם)'s description of a Jewish king as having 'lev kol Yisrael' (the heart of all Israel) illustrates this principle - a leader's desires align with the people's needs rather than personal interests. The key insight is that while others fulfilled their individual obligations that night, Moshe demonstrated communal leadership by addressing a collective commitment made generations earlier. Joseph's burial was not a family matter but a communal obligation because of his public role in Egypt. As viceroy, he belonged to both Egyptian and Jewish communities, making it necessary for the entire Jewish nation, not just his descendants, to claim him. Moshe's greatness lay in thinking communally rather than individually. While others pursued their personal mitzvahs (even the commanded task of borrowing from Egyptians), Moshe identified and fulfilled a communal need. This explains why Joshua could truthfully say the Jewish people took Joseph out - Moshe acted as their representative, not in a personal capacity. The shiur extends this lesson to contemporary community involvement, critiquing those who only engage when personally benefiting. True communal leadership requires thinking beyond one's immediate interests, whether in schools, synagogues, or other institutions. The lecture challenges listeners to examine their motivations for community involvement and strive for the higher standard of communal responsibility exemplified by Moshe.