Qualities of a Good Leader - Parashat Miketz 5776 - December 11, 2015

The last few parshiyot of Sefer Beresheit present us with two potential leaders of b'nei yisrael - Reuven and Yehuda. Reuven was the first born - the bechor - and could have merited both the double portion of inheritance and the kingship. However, both mantles of leadership were given to other brothers. The double portion went to Yosef and his two sons, Ephraim and Menashe. Yehuda merited the Jewish kingship. Reuven became another one of the tribes.

In this week’s parasha, Miketz, the Torah presents a pivotal moment in the development of Ya’akov’s opinion of his sons, Reuven and Yehuda. The moment is a bellwether for their future standing as respective leaders of k’lal yisrael. The brothers return to their father’s house from their search for food in Egypt. Yosef – still an anonymous viceroy in the eyes of the brothers – has demanded to keep Shimon as ransom until the brothers’ return with their youngest brother, Binyamin. Reuven initially asks his father Ya’akov to send Binyamin with him to Egypt and he promises to safeguard his return. Reuven says to his father, “You will kill my two sons if I do not bring him (Binyamin) back to you; deliver him to my hand and I will bring him back to you.” Ya’akov’s response was sharp and decisive. He says, “My son will not go down with you.” After some time passed and the famine grew unbearable, Yehuda approaches Ya’akov. Yehuda says, “Send the young boy with me and we will get up and go so that we can live and not die – both us and you and also our little ones. I will be the assurance for him; of my hand you will demand him. If I do not bring him to you and set him before you then I will bear the blame forever…” Yaakov’s response was decisive – he sent Binyamin under Yehuda’s guardianship.

Interestingly, Reuven’s pledge is criticized by our Rabbis. In relation to this episode, the Midrash calls Reuven bechor shot'e – foolish firstborn. The Midrash elaborates - when people would say something worthwhile in front of Rebbi Tarfon, Rebbi Tarfon used to say kaftor va’ferach - buttons and flowers – a reference to the adornments that decorated the menorah in the mishkan. When people would say something meaningless in front of him, Ribbi Tarfon used to say lo yered beni imachem – my son will not descend with you – a reference to Jacob’s response to Reuven’s offer to take Binyamin to Egypt to retrieve Shimon.

Why did our Rabbis consider Reuven’s offer so inferior to that of Yehuda? Furthermore, why do our Rabbis look at Reuven’s offer to his father Jacob with such disdain?

I will identify three critical elements which bolstered Yehuda’s argument and dashed Reuven’s chances of leading the brothers back to Egypt with Binyamin in tow.

• Past results. One important measure of a leader is past behavior. Reuven had previously sinned against Yaakov by meddling in Yaakov’s relationship with Leah and Bilhah. Yehuda had a history of strength of leadership. (See Ramban) 
• Collateral offered. Reuven pledged his two sons and offered for Ya’akov to kill his two sons if Binyamin was not returned. Yehuda pledged that not bringing back Binyamin would constitute a sin. Reuven’s pledge was whimsical. Yehuda’s was serious. (See Ha’emek Davar) 
• Timing. Taking Binyamin was an enormous risk. Shimon’s safety was already in doubt but there was no risk to Binyamin. Taking Binyamin would not guarantee Shimon’s safety – rather it would only expose Binyamin. Yehuda’s offer came after the threat to Binyamin had come in the form of a famine. (See Rashi) 

Reuven was well-intentioned. However, his impetuousness interfered in his ability to lead and effectively execute a plan. For this reason, Ya’akov did not trust him with the mantle of leadership for the family. Yehuda was a chacham – a wise man. Ya’akov determined that he could be counted on as an effective leader.

Shabbat Shalom.