Moses was a big deal.
He was an Israelite who confronted Pharaoh. More importantly, he was able to show Pharaoh that he had such clear connections with G-d that he could forecast coming plagues and bring them to a close. That had to be impressive to the Egyptian populace. And it was.
Yet, we see that Pharaoh’s cabinet – his servants at the palace – initially were skeptical. They weren’t sure if this was sleight of hand or some type of cutting-edge magic. But eventually they saw that Moses’s predictions were so sharp, and so obviously attuned to an otherworldly Master of the Universe, that they had to concede.
Even more, they had a close angle to observe Moses, the human being. They heard him speak, they saw his body language, they felt his passion and conviction. They saw a saintly man in action. That was deeply impactful, even beyond the supernatural plagues.
In this week’s Torah reading, as Moses prepares to warn Pharaoh about the tenth and final plague, the Torah testifies that “Moses, the man, was held in high esteem by Pharaoh’s courtiers and by his people.”
Moses, the man.
The Egyptians developed a deep respect for Moses the individual, aside from their submission to Moses the miracle-worker. They knew they were dealing with an outstanding human being, with deep intellect, profound empathy, and impeccable character.
It strikes a chord in me.
This Shabbos, the 10th day of Shevat, we honor the 74th yahrtzeit of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, which we also mark as the day that the Rebbe took over the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch.
There are many articles and books about the Rebbe’s otherworldly vision and guidance, his incredible scholarship and his revolutionary leadership. The Rebbe was a giant, respected by leaders throughout the world.
But there is something distinctly awe-inspiring about the Rebbe, the man. There is something deeply moving about his deep love for, and focused guidance to, ‘regular’ people.
Every Shabbos, in Shul, we give out a double-sided page called ‘Here’s My Story’ (click here), which gives us a snapshot of the Rebbe’s care for a specific individual. I find those testimonies breathtaking.
G-d gifted me with more than 25 years of watching and listening to the Rebbe, of being in his [relatively] close orbit. Before the Rebbe passed away, I would have thought I could imagine the Rebbe’s sphere of influence.
Not even close.
We love you, Rebbe.