Moses’ Criteria for his Successor

What was Moshe looking for in his successor?

The verse in Parsha Pinchas tells us when Moshe asked about a successor, he addressed G-d as “G-d of the Spirits!”

Now, that’s an unusual expression! Why did Moshe address G-d this way specifically when asking about a successor?

To explain this Rashi quotes the Midrash: “Moses said before G-d: “Master of the world! The mind of each individual is revealed and known to You, and they do not resemble one another. Appoint over them a leader who can relate to each and every person according to his disposition.”

Then, when G-d directs Moshe to choose Joshua as his successor, the verse (a little later in the same Parsha Pinchas) uses this expression to describe Joshua: “A man of the spirit.” And Rashi again explains in the same vein: “as you requested, ‘of the spirit’, for he is able to deal with each individual’s spirit, their own disposition”.

This definition and criteria for leadership is well-known in Chabad, for it is a hallmark of the Rebbe’s leadership style. And it goes back to Alter Rebbe, who quotes this expression and related ones in his Intro to the Tanya, about the desired ability to connect with each person in their own style and and in their own way, to relate to each person as they are.

This teaching is so valuable, not only for Jewish leadership, but for anyone who deals with and relates with people! Be they students or one’s own children, co-workers or customers, friends or even spouses. And this is what Moshe sought in a leader, what he looked for in a successor.