Moshe Rabbeinu expressed his request for a successor in a unique manner, delineating special criteria. He refers to Hashem as “G-d of the spirits of all flesh.” Rashi explains Moshe’s choice of words: “He said to Hashem, ‘It is revealed and known to You the thoughts of each person, and how they differ one from another; appoint a leader who is able to tolerate each and every one of them with their individual attitudes.’”
Horav Shlomo Wolbe, zl, explains that an effective leader does not decide on a specific approach to serving Hashem and then impose that approach on all of his constituents (that is a dictator, not a leader); rather, the true leader is someone who is broadminded, an individual who employs his G-d-given talents, strengths and personality in the service of those in his charge. He finds a way to reach each individual in accordance with his particular profile of strengths or weaknesses. His goal is to bring everyone closer to the service of Hashem.
The Mashgiach observes that Horav Chaim Soloveitchik, zl, was such a leader. He trained some of the greatest leaders of his generation. Yet, each and every one had his own unique shtempel, imprint. Each had his own approach, his own inimitable, distinctive manner of doing things. Rav Chaim polished each individual student’s qualities, and that student carried on his legacy. [Thus, the next generation of students might have differed one from another, such as: Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz’s students as opposed to those of Horav Shimon Shkop, Horav Isser Zalmen Meltzer, and even those of the Brisker Rav. Their nurturing came from the same font – Rav Chaim Brisker – however, each of them produced his own unique bloom.]
Tolerance is a vital attribute for effective leadership. A truly great leader must be a tolerant person. This trait, says the Mashgiach, is crucial for relationships. Otherwise, we might condescend to our neighbor whose manner of avodas Hashem, service to the Almighty, differs from ours. Rather than denigrate his manner of dress, behavior or self-expression during prayer, we should laud his individuality (and courage to manifest it). Do we not all have the same goal: to glorify Hashem? Just because he prays differently, or does not wear the same hat as we do, does not mean that his Yiddishkeit is flawed. It is no more flawed than ours, only we are too busy looking at others to engage in introspection!
Another Rosh Yeshivah who exemplified fatherly love (in the sense that he acted towards each student as if he were his only son) was Horav Eliezer Yehudah Finkel, zl, son of the Alter of Slabodka, founder and Rosh Yeshivah of Mir Eretz Yisrael. He saw to it that every student was able to achieve his personal maximum in spirituality. He never ignored a student’s concerns. His home was open 24/7 to each student – whether it be for spiritual/intellectual advancement or spiritual/emotional encouragement. He was a father, a friend, a brother and a mentor; it all depended upon the needs of the individual student.
All this, however, is not unusual for a caring Rosh Yeshivah. The first concern of a Rosh Yeshivah should be his talmidim. Rav Lazar Yudel (as he was referred to lovingly) went one step further. His student’s intellectual advancement was preeminent in his mind. Therefore, if he felt that a student’s knowledge of Torah could be enhanced elsewhere, he sent him there! (Imagine that happening today.) At the end of 1929, Rav Isser Zalmen Meltzer intimated to Rav Lazar Yudel that it was a shame that the Brisker Rav was not a Rosh Yeshivah. Thus, he could not share his brilliant dialectic and Torah thoughts with students. His father, Rav Chaim, had been Rosh Yeshivah in Volozhin, but Rav Velvel was Rav in Brisk; he basically sat and learned all day – without the challenge and benefits derived from students. When Rav Lazar Yudel heard this, he immediately sent Horav Michel Feinstein (who later became the Brisker Rav’s son-in-law) to Brisk. Every year after that, Rav Lazar Yudel sent a chaburah, group, of his hand-picked students, the finest and most brilliant, to learn from the Brisker Rav. This is the meaning of doing what is best for each individual student.
