1. Moshe Rabbeinu’s Leadership and Tolerance
In Parshas Behalosecha—specifically in Hamishi—we see a remarkable portrait of Moshe Rabbeinu’s leadership. The Torah describes how Moshe led the Jewish people through the wilderness, tolerating their complaints and constant demands. It appears that Moshe was already at the edge of his patience, yet he continued to lead with restraint. Even Hashem comments on the situation, as Rashi brings down a discussion between Hashem and Moshe Rabbeinu. Hashem tells Moshe that the people are not truly seeking satisfaction; rather, they are looking for an argument. No matter what Moshe does, he will not be able to make them happy because their goal is not happiness but contention.
This dynamic is illustrated by their request for meat. If Moshe were to provide them with beef from large animals, they would complain and ask for lean meat. If given lean meat, they would demand thick meat or something else entirely—chicken, deer, wild animals, fish, even grasshoppers. The point is that their complaints are endless and not rooted in genuine need.
2. Hashem’s Challenge and Moshe’s Response
Hashem tells Moshe, as Rashi explains on the pasuk—verse—that He will demonstrate who is correct: Hashem or Moshe. Hashem essentially says to Moshe: “You’ll see who will be proven right.” Despite all the miracles Hashem had performed—providing water from a rock and bread from heaven—the people still doubted whether Hashem could fulfill their current requests.
Moshe tries to reason with them by reminding them of these miracles, asking rhetorically if Hashem’s hand could possibly be too short to provide for them now. Yet the people remain unconvinced, suggesting that if Moshe has to bring proof from elsewhere, it means he cannot really deliver what they want.
3. Sharing Leadership: The Appointment of Seventy Elders
Instead of reacting with anger or frustration at this ongoing challenge, Moshe Rabbeinu takes a constructive approach. He gathers more leaders around him so that he does not bear the burden alone. The Torah describes how the Spirit of God rested upon these additional leaders as well.
The process involved each tribe contributing six representatives, totaling seventy-two candidates for only seventy positions as elders (Zekeinim). To resolve this, Moshe wrote “Zocain—elder” on seventy slips of paper and left two blank. Those who drew blank slips would not serve among the seventy elders. This number seventy is significant throughout Torah—it corresponds to the seventy souls who descended to Egypt with Yaakov Avinu and carries deep spiritual meaning in Kabbalah. The number recurs often in Chumash, symbolizing completeness and representation of all Israel.
4. Eldad and Meidad: Prophecy in the Camp
Two individuals among those selected remained in the camp instead of joining the main group: Eldad and Meidad. These two began prophesying that Moshe would die before entering Eretz Yisroel and that Yehoshua would lead Bnei Yisroel into the Land.
Moshe’s son (according to one opinion, Gershon) was disturbed by this prophecy and urged his father to “destroy” them (Kloyim). Rashi offers two explanations: either it means to imprison them or literally destroy them. However, another interpretation is that appointing them as caretakers over the community would itself be a form of punishment due to all the aggravation such responsibility entails.
5. Moshe’s Humility and Generosity of Spirit
Moshe Rabbeinu’s response is characteristic of his humility and selflessness. Rather than feeling threatened or insulted by others receiving prophecy or leadership roles, he expresses his wish that all Jews should become prophets: “Let all of Hashem’s people be prophets!” He did not seek honor or exclusivity for himself but was genuinely happy for others to share in spiritual greatness.
This attitude stands in stark contrast to typical human reactions when one’s status is challenged or shared with others. For Moshe Rabbeinu, true leadership meant wanting what was best for Klal Yisroel as a whole rather than personal prestige.
6. Lessons from Bnei Yisroel’s Complaints
The episode concludes with a reflection on human nature as seen through Bnei Yisroel’s behavior in the desert. Even when surrounded by miracles and Divine care—a beautiful environment akin to a room tiled perfectly except for one missing tile—people tend to focus on what is lacking rather than appreciating what they have.
This tendency toward complaint can obscure gratitude for Hashem’s kindnesses. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that despite these shortcomings, Bnei Yisroel demonstrated faith by following Hashem into an unknown wilderness without provisions. Hashem remembers this act of loyalty fondly as an expression of trust in Him.