Page 36 - HaMizrachi #6 TuBishvat 5779

Rav Doron Podlashuk

WHY Nachshon SURPASSED

HIS PREDECESSORS

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he Gemara recounts the famous What exactly is the midrash saying? the angels grow angry at the seeming
midrash: “This one said I won’t What was so special about Nachshon injustice. However, what they failed to
T go first into the sea, this one said Ben Aminadav’s leap compared to the understand was that the actions of the
I won’t go first into the sea. Nachshon earlier acts of leadership? Furthermore, other Jews were also steeped in faith.
Ben Aminadav jumped into the waves… the Mechilta states, “The one who
therefore the tribe of Yehuda merited to sanctified my name at the sea will be The sea could have collapsed on them at
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become the leader of the people.” the ruler of my nation.” What does any moment. By entering, they showed
sanctifying G-d’s name have to do that they really didn’t believe in idolatry.
This heroic act of Nachshon and those with leadership, and why was this It became clear that they wanted to
who followed him (even before Moshe sanctification different from the earlier accept the Torah and fulfill the mitzvot.
Rabbeinu told them to enter the water) examples? The midrash’s two answers are thus
consolidated the tribe of Yehuda’s complementary.
leadership for posterity. However, this As we dive deeper, the waters become The earlier events involving Yehuda
was not the first courageous act of even murkier. In describing the splitting may have demonstrated a great deal of
leadership by the tribe of Yehuda. What of the sea, the Torah uses the word ה ָ מ ֹוח responsibility, self-sacrifice, and the inner
made this event so unique? The midrash – wall, once with a vav and once without strength to do the right thing. However,
– ה ָּ מ ָ ח (anger). The midrash explains
discusses this exact question: 2 a leader is one who not only overcomes
that when Am Yisrael crossed the sea,
“The students asked Rabbi Tarfon – let the angels asked: “How could G-d his own challenges but helps others
overcome theirs too. A leader helps others
the master teach us: why did the tribe perform a miracle for people who served to believe that they too can become
of Yehuda merit the monarchy? He idols in Egypt?” In response, the water tzaddikim; that they too can be uplifted
said, what do you think is the answer? became angry and wanted to drown the and act nobly. Nachshon and the tribe of
They answered, “what benefit is it that Jewish people. Yehuda caused the nation to believe in
we kill our brother” [Genesis 37:26] The midrash recounts that G-d testified themselves, to recognize their own inner
(when Yehuda convinced the brothers that they only served idols in Egypt strength. This is true leadership and the
not to kill Yosef). He answered, that due to the harshness of the slavery. ultimate Kiddush Hashem (Sanctification
is only enough to atone for the sin of Another answer in the midrash is that of G-d’s Name).
selling their brother. They suggested, He saved them due to their future merit
“for she is more righteous than me” of accepting the Torah and fulfilling the
[Genesis 38:26] (when Yehuda admitted mitzvah of Tefillin. 1 Sotah 37a.
his wrongdoing with Tamar). He 2
answered, that is only enough to atone Can we reconcile these two answers? Yalkut Shimoni, Beshalach Remez 238.
3 Mechilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Beshalach Parasha 5.
for the sin. They said, “I will remain While Nachshon and the tzaddikim after
in place of the boy” [Genesis 44:33] him were up to their necks in water,
(when volunteering to take the place of there was no anger from the angels.
Binyamin in prison). He answered “He Because these were people who hadn’t Rav Doron Podlashuk is Director of the
made himself a guarantor, is this not the served idols in Egypt. After the sea split Selwyn and Ros Smith Torah Leadership
obligation of a guarantor? “Rather, when and the rest of the nation entered – many Program, a partnership of World
they stood by the sea etc…” of whom were unworthy – only then did Mizrachi and Eretz Hemdah

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