Midrash Tanhuma, Nitzavim 2

מדרש תנחומא (ורשא) פרשת ניצבים סימן ב

Original Text:

ראשיכם שבטיכם אע"פ שמניתי לכם ראשים זקנים ושוטרים כולכם שוין לפני שנאמר וכל איש ישראל, ד"א כלכם ערבים זה בזה

Translation:

"The heads of your tribes" (Deuteronomy 29:9) Even though I appointed over you heads, elders, and officers, all of you are equal before Me, for the verse concludes, "All are the people of Israel." Another explanation: for you are all responsible for one another.[translation by AJWS]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. What does the first explanation of the verse that the midrash offers us teach us about leadership?
2. What about the second explanation?
3. According to this midrash, what are the goals of leadership?

Time Period:	Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)
Type:	Commentary
Categories:	Governance & Leadership
Keywords:	Leadership, Equality, Civic responsibility
Related Texts:
Related Sourcesheets:	Building Community Through Service, Responsibilities of Leadership, Because we are leaders..., Lessons of Leadership, Don't Stand By

Submitted By

RuthBalinsky

Comments on this Text

Source Sheet Builder

To add texts to source sheets, you will need to register or log in

Featured Texts

Exodus 23:5 | 01/23/2009 | Sarah Margles

Leviticus Rabbah 4:6 | 07/16/2009 | HillelandPanim

Babylonian Talmud, Ta'anit 11a | 07/08/2011 | Areyvut

"JTA Op-Ed: Judaism is always ‘tikkun olam’—and more" by Rabbi Eric Yoffie 2 | 08/03/2011 | RuthBalinsky

Paula Hyman, Gender and the Immigrant Jewish Experience in the United States in Jewish Women in Historical Perspective by Judith Baskin, p. 313 | 02/05/2010 | jarahg

Featured Source Sheets

Character as an Element of Social Justice | 06/11/2011 | Neshamasoul

Big Green Jewish Edible Garden: Our Food | 08/02/2011 | Big Green Jewish

5th Grade Family Kesher - Isaiah and Social Justice | 05/20/2011 | suzie.m.schwartz

Taxes and Tzedakah | 06/27/2011 | Uri L'Tzedek

Sinai and Our Universe of Obligation | 06/07/2011 | icaplan

On1Foot

search the database

Browse By Category