Sicha, Shabbos Parshas Balak 5725,
And Sicha, 12 Tammuz 5725
A. A Leaders Who Induces Panic
Balak, the king of Moab, feared the Jews and turned to Balaam to curse them. Rashi explains that Balak’s fear was due to the fall of Sichon and Og (Source 1). The Canaanite kings paid Sichon and Og to protect them (Source 2).
The Rebbe explains that this arrangement was known only to a select few, and therefore only Balak himself and a few others should have been concerned. However, Balak revealed this to his entire people and caused mass panic.
Here we see the difference between Moses and Balak: when Balak was afraid, he put his entire nation into a state of panic; when Moses was afraid he did not betray his fears.
B. A Courageous Leader
The Jewish people approached the land of Bashan, and G-d told Moses “Do not fear them.” (Source 3)
The Talmud asks, why was Moses suddenly afraid of Sichon and Og? It explains that he was afraid of Og because of the spiritual merits he earned by saving Lot, the nephew of Abraham (Source 4). Rashi adds that Og and Sichon were descended from angels. The Midrash elaborates and repeats the story of the angels leaving heaven for earth and mingling among the humans, which led to the birth of Sichon and Og (Source 5).
C. A Leader Does Not Project Fear
This is a lesson for any leader: Even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, keep any doubts to yourself. This is exactly what the Rebbe Rayatz did in the summer of 1927. He displayed remarkable courage and strength because he knew that fear would affect all Jews of the USSR.
The Rebbe Rayatz describes in his diary how at the beginning of his imprisonment he decided to stand strong (Source 5).
When undertaking a spiritual task, it must be approached with full faith in its success, without doubt nor fear of failure. Like soldiers who se out to the battlefield with a march of victory. As the Tzemach Tzadek was told by a Jewish soldier in the Czar’s army, a city is conquered not by tears, but with an upbeat song of victory. (Source 6)
