Dear Community,
 
BringThemHome – Day 461
 
We are concluding the book of Genesis this Shabbat with the rousing chorus of “Chazak Chazak Ve’nit’chazeik”. We have covered over 2,300 years of chronological time in its 50 brief chapters.
 
The book concludes because the narrative of single-family succession has culminated with Jacob blessing his 12 sons and grandchildren.
 
However, in terms of natural succession, we expect Jacob’s firstborn – Reuben – to be the leader of the brothers: both in terms of monarchy and eventual priesthood.
 
But he is not.
 
How exactly does Jacob bless Reuven and why does this preclude his leadership?
 

רְאוּבֵן֙ בְּכֹ֣רִי אַ֔תָּה כֹּחִ֖י וְרֵאשִׁ֣ית אוֹנִ֑י יֶ֥תֶר שְׂאֵ֖ת וְיֶ֥תֶר עָֽז׃
פַּ֤חַז כַּמַּ֙יִם֙ אַל־תּוֹתַ֔ר כִּ֥י עָלִ֖יתָ מִשְׁכְּבֵ֣י אָבִ֑יךָ אָ֥ז חִלַּ֖לְתָּ יְצוּעִ֥י עָלָֽה׃
 

Reuben, you are my first-born,
My might and first fruit of my vigour,
Exceeding in rank
And exceeding in honour.
Unstable as water, you shall excel no longer;
For when you mounted your father’s bed,
You brought disgrace—my couch he mounted! (Gen. 49:3-4)
 
 
It is quite a complex mix of descriptions, and open to misinterpretation, but what exactly does “unstable as water” mean in this context and why did he lose the leadership?
 
The Kli Yakar (Rabbi Shlomo Lunschitz; 1550-1619) says that leaders require patience and Reuben’s impulsivity is not a good trait for leadership.
 
But the explanation of Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenburg (1785-1865; known as the “Ktav veHaKabbalah”) is profound. He quotes the Vilna Gaon that the imagery of water was specifically chosen in contrast to oil and wine.
 
When oil is poured out of a container, there is always some residual oil. When wine is poured out, the smell remains. When water is poured out, there is nothing left.
 
So while Reuben had the “rank” and “honour” to be a leader, his impulsivity was likely to be completely ruinous with, literally, nothing left to salvage.
 
Leadership may require difficult, and even rapid decisions. But acting on impulse, in a world where instant responses are now expected, will not bring stability, progress and care for those being led.
 
As leadership is transitioning in many parts of the world in the coming days and weeks, and feeling constantly challenged closer to home, we hope and pray that those leaders think in terms of what actions they can take such that both during their terms and afterwards, there is a legacy that impacts positively on the world.
 
Chazak, Chazak ve’nit’chazeik – “may we be strong for now, and may we be strengthened for the future”.
 
Shabbat shalom uMevorach