Can’t Do it Alone

When Yitro was instructing Moshe to not do everything by himself and instead to create greater organization and shared leadership, Yitro used the expression, Lo Tov- not good, to describe the way Moshe had been doing things up until then, alone.

When Adam was alone, without his, yet to be created partner, Chava, the Torah uses the same expression, Lo Tov, not good, to describe Adam’s condition of being alone.

If the Torah uses this most fundamental expression “not good” to describe being alone and the same expression “not good” to describe doing things alone, then certainly on some level, good, must refer to being in relationship and doing in connection with others.

I lead an organization, Call of the Shofar. It has been a challenge for me to balance doing things myself, with, empowering others and creating an organization that is greater and more powerful than just me. This balance in leadership is a part of a more universal challenge; we are all individuals, who are at the same time, interconnected within a greater whole. How do I maintain and express my unique self within relationship, as well as, how do I deeply connect with the greater whole I am a part of without losing my self?

Leadership is not simply being one’s self and it is not simply being connecting to the greater whole. A leader is an individual who has a vision of an organizational formation and is able to enroll others in creating that greater, embracing entity. If that vision is powerful enough and has a common denominator that is simple enough, it can resonate with many, and the results can be extraordinary.

What actually takes place when organization is formed from individuals that are now embraced within a new inclusive pattern?

If I am an individual alone, I experience reality as a bunch of separate parts. If I feel I’m a member of a family, my experience is one of being a part of something greater than myself. If I include myself in a community I am even more conscious of the greater interconnectedness we share. That consciousness can grow; from self, to family, to organization, to community, to nation, to world, to Spirit.

The Torah first tells us of Yitro’s advice to Moshe; to create organization and responsible leadership, and then the Torah tells us about the receiving of the Ten Commandments. Many think that the actual sequence of events was in the opposite order.

I want to suggest that even if the actual sequence was different than what was written, the lesson is learned from the way the story is told. There are plenty of examples of organizations where there is a head and a whole network of unconscious, functioning connected parts below. Imagine a nation in which the individuals are empowered to connect to each other consciously, not just from the top down, but all the connections throughout the network have sparks of consciousness passing through.

In the Torah, the Ten Commandments come after the advice given by Yitro and accepted by Moshe. Maybe what we’re being taught is; the wisdom of God’s Oneness comes down after we engage in relationship, consciously, down here.

And that my friends, is good.

Have a great Shabbos,

Simcha

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