I used to say, only half in jest, that the proof that Moses was the greatest of the prophets

is that when God asked him to lead the Jewish people, he refused four times.

Who am I to lead?

They won't believe in me.

I'm not a man of words.

Please send someone else.

It is as if Moses knew with uncanny precision what he would be letting himself

in for. Somehow, he sensed in advance that it may be hard to be a Jew, but to be a leader

of Jews is almost impossible. How did Moses know this? The answer lies many years back in his youth. It was then, when having grown up, he went out to see his people for the first time. He saw them enslaved, forced into every labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He intervened and saved his life. The next day, he saw two Hebrews fighting, and again he intervened. This time the man stopped

him and he said, Me, Salach al-Ishaefat al-a-lainu, who appointed you, our leader and our judge?

Note that Moses hadn't even thought of being a leader and already his leadership was being challenged.

And these are the first recorded words spoken to Moses by a fellow Jew.

That was his reward for saving the life of an Israelite the day before.

And though God persuaded Moses or ordered him to lead, it never ceased to be difficult

and often demoralizing. In Devarim, he calls the time when he said,

Echa is Salavadi, how can I bear alone? Your problems, your burdens, and your disputes all by myself.

And in Balotachah, he suffered. What can only be called a breakdown? He asked the Lord, why have you brought this trouble on your servant?

What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people?

Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms as a nurse carries an infant to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors.

I cannot carry all these people by myself. The burden is too heavy for me.

If this is how you're going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me if I've found favour in your eyes

and do not let me face my own ruin. And this was said, don't forget, by the greatest

...