 G-d declared to Moses, Go down (from the mountain) for the people whom you brought out of Egypt have become corrupt"(32:7). What is the role of a leader? What are his responsibilities? Can and should he be held responsible for the actions of his followers even if he is not to blame? The Torah's answer is unequivocal. A leader is to be judged by the actions of his flock. When his followers fail then the leader must find a different line of work. Thus the Talmud explains that when G-d told Moshe to "go down" what he was saying was "get down from your position, I only made you a leader for the sake of the Jewish people, now that they have sinned - why do I need you" (Berachot 32a). The sole purpose of a leader is to elevate the people. It is not a base to use to increase one's influence or to make contacts. It is not even a task to be given as a reward for hard work or big donations. Even good management skills makes one a good administrator but are no guarantee of a good leader. A leader must be able to inspire the people - at a bare minimum he must prevent the people from backsliding. And this Moshe did not do. While he was busy talking to G-d, being personally inspired and getting the tools necessary to be transformed into Moshe Rabbeinu the people were worshipping a golden calf. What good is a Rebbe if the Talmidim (students) are not interested in the subject matter? Thus it appears that Moshe's leadership is on the line. After all he was unable to transform the "stiff necked people" to a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation to Me" (19:5). Moshe would no longer lead the Jewish people. Just like ( lehavdil) it is the coach who gets fired for the poor play of his team Moshe was to "go down" from his leadership position.
When one, however reads G-d's message to Moshe until the end we see an amazing development. It is not Moshe who is to get fired but rather the Jewish people. ""Do not try to stop Me when I unleash my wrath against them to destroy them. I will then make you into a great nation" (32:10). Moshe was the greatest leader who has ever lived (and will ever live). The failings of the Jewish people were not a reflection of his leadership. They were rather a reflection of the sad state of affairs of the Jewish people. If Moshe, the one who defeated Pharaoh, who led them through the sea, defeated Amalek, who gave them the Ten commandments could not inspire the Jewish people then no one could. It is the people who would have to be replaced. G-d would find for Moshe a flock that would appreciate and thus be inspired by his leadership.
Moshe of course would have nothing of it. These were "his people" and the great leader would not stand by while his nation was to be destroyed, even if they were perhaps deserving of such a fate. "Now if you would, please forgive their sin. If not, You can blot me out from the book that You have written" (32:32). The fate of the Jewish people was to be his fate. And yes ultimately that would mean that Moshe would be denied his greatest wish. He would be unable to complete his mission of "bringing them to a land flowing with milk and honey" (3:8). "G-d also displayed anger at me because of you and He said, You too will not enter the land" (Devarim 1:37).
Moshe rejected the easy path of leading agreeable people. He chose the path of leading a difficult nation and trying to inspire them. Yes he did not fully succeed in his lifetime. But his great act of mesirat nefesh of literally giving his life for the Jewish people is the model that has inspired all great Jewish leaders through the ages. Let us do what we can to ensure that our leaders get their just reward. Shabbat Shalom!
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