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                                                                                                                  Rabbi Elazar responded to his wife’s hesitation that he accept the position
                                                                                                                  of Nasi that it would be worthwhile for him to become Nasi,evenif he
                   “Hashem called to Moshe, and spoke to him                                                      would retain this position only for one day. Did he seek leadership for                                                                                                         2
                   from the Tent of Meeting saying…”                                                              self-gratification, wanting this position only for his personal enjoyment?

                                                                  (Vayikra 1:1)
                                                                                                                  We can resolve this question by analyzing the reason for the small letter
                                                                                                                     in the word      This indicates Moshe’s great humility. He thought
                                                                                                                  that Hashem was calling to a different person named “Moshe.” The word
                                                                                                                       spelled backwards is       (wonder). This implies that Moshe
                                                                                                                  Rabbeinu wondered why Hashem accorded him such honor and called
                                                                                                                  specifically to him. In addition, we can explain that word  is from
                                                                                                                  the root word     (coincidence), implying that in his great humility,
                                                                                                                  Moshe Rabbeinu requested that Hashem appear to him coincidentally as
                                                                                                                  He appeared to the rasha, Bilaam.

                                                                                                                  It states, “                 – When a person from among you will
                                                                                                                  bring.” This can be read as, “When a person will sacrifice himself for your
                                                                                                                  sake,” implying that the Nasi had to be prepared to sacrifice himself for
                                                                                                                  the Jewish people. Likewise, the Nasi had to be willing to serve as
                                                                                                                  atonement for Am Yisrael.

                                                                                                                  The Nasi and leader of the Jewish people had to embody the two virtues
                                                                                                                  of humility and submission. These traits were evident in Moshe Rabbeinu,
                                                                                                                  Shaul Hamelech, and David Hamelech. Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah wanted
                                                                                                                  to be appointed Nasi in order to acquire these two virtues. Since he was
                                                                                                                  comparatively young, he consulted with his wife as to whether he should
                                                                                                                  accept the appointment. Despite her reservations, Rabbi Elazar decided
                                                                                                                  that it was worthwhile for him to serve as a Nasi even if it would be for
                                                                                                                  one day only, because he would then merit the acquisition of these
                                                                                                                  important virtues. Even if he would be removed from his position, the two
                                                                                                                  virtues of humility and submission would remain his forever.
                                                                                                                  Chazal explain that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel asked Rabbi Yishmael
                                                                                                                  what was the reason for their death sentence. After he scrutinized all his
                                                                                                                  past deeds, he concluded that it was because he once made a woman wait











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