Leadership In Quiet Ways
In this week’s Parsha, we learn that leadership is not about position or power, but about showing up with integrity and concern for those around us. First, we meet Shifra and Puah, the midwives who refuse Pharaoh’s command to harm the Jewish babies. The Torah tells us: “But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded.” Their courage teaches us that leadership begins with moral strength—doing what is right even when it is challenging or unpopular.
Next, Pharaoh’s daughter, bat Pharaoh, sees baby Moshe floating in the Nile and reaches out to save him. The Midrash teaches that her arm miraculously stretches to reach the basket, showing that we can stretch ourselves to help others. Her actions remind us that leadership can grow from kindness, and respect for human life.
Then we see Moshe himself. The Torah tells us: “He went out to his brothers and saw their suffering.” Moshe does not ignore what he sees. He stands up for justice three times: for a Jew attacked by an Egyptian, for two Jews fighting with one another, and later for Yitro’s daughters in Midian. Finally, at the burning bush, Moshe learns that true leadership is rooted in humility and partnership with Hashem when he asks, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?”
Together, these moments reveal different phases of leadership: moral courage, compassionate action, respect, and humility.
I was thinking about how these qualities come to life every day at OCA.
- Moral courage shows up when a student stands up for a classmate who is being left out or spoken to unkindly.
- Compassionate action appears when students notice someone struggling—whether with a math problem, a friendship, or a feeling—and they step in to try to help a friend.
- Respect is demonstrated when students listen to one another, value different perspectives, and show kavod to teachers and friends.
- Humility is visible when a student contributes quietly without seeking recognition—helping a younger child or supporting classmates in a group project.
As these matriarchs demonstrate, we see this model of leadership embodied by Shifra and Puah, bat Pharaoh, and Moshe—each choosing to do what is right, even when no one is watching. In the same way, our students learn that leadership is not about being in charge, but about caring for others, making kind choices, and taking initiative, even in small and quiet ways.
Shabbat Shalom!