Before Jacob passed away, he blessed each of his children, giving them roles in the future of the Jewish people. Judah, his fourth son, was chosen to lead. But why was Judah chosen, especially when Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, would have seemed the natural choice?
There were two key moments in Judah’s life that showed his leadership capabilities:
First, when Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill him, Judah convinced them to sell him instead. This saved Joseph’s life, even though it also led to him being sold into slavery.
Next, when Judah had his incident with Tamar, he publicly admitted his wrongdoing. His honesty saved Tamar and her unborn children from being unfairly punished.
At first glance, Reuben’s actions in these situations seem just as good, if not better. When the brothers plotted against Joseph, it was Reuben who first intervened, suggesting they throw him into a pit instead of killing him. In fact, he planned to secretly return later to rescue Joseph and bring him home.
However, Reuben was not there when the brothers sold Joseph. He had left to focus on his personal repentance over a past mistake. While Reuben’s intentions were pure, his preoccupation with his own spiritual growth meant he wasn’t present when it mattered most. Judah, on the other hand, acted decisively. While his actions weren’t perfect—after all, he suggested selling Joseph—he made a real difference in saving Joseph’s life.
Leadership isn’t just about being personally righteous or focusing on one’s own growth. A true leader is someone who takes action to help others, even if their motives or actions are imperfect. Reuben’s focus on his personal repentance, though admirable, didn’t save Joseph or change the situation. Judah’s willingness to act, even in an imperfect way, had a tangible impact.
This is why Judah was chosen to lead. Leadership isn’t about waiting until everything is ideal. It’s about stepping up and doing what needs to be done for the good of others.
This lesson also connects to the 19th of Kislev, the day we celebrate the liberation of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad Chassidus. This day is often called the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus” because it marked a turning point for spreading the inner teachings of the Torah. These teachings emphasize that spiritual growth must always lead to action that helps others.
Rabbi Schneur Zalman taught that serving G-d isn’t just about working on yourself or achieving personal holiness. It’s about using your strengths and abilities to improve the world and uplift those around you.
Judah’s story shows this clearly. He wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t let that stop him from doing what was necessary to save Joseph. Similarly, the teachings of Chassidus encourage us to act, even if we feel we’re not fully prepared. When someone needs help, or when there’s an opportunity to bring light and goodness into the world, we must step up.
In our own lives, we often face moments when we’re unsure if we’re ready to act. Maybe we feel unqualified, or maybe we think it’s someone else’s responsibility. But this message teaches us that leadership begins with caring enough to take action.
Whether it’s helping a friend, supporting a cause, or bringing positivity to our community, what matters isn’t perfection—it’s showing up and making a difference. True greatness comes not from standing on the sidelines but from stepping in and doing what needs to be done.
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