The Holy One blessed be He tested Dovid with flocks and found him a fine shepherd…He would hold back the large ones [sheep] due to the small ones, and would take out the small ones so they could graze on the soft grass, then the old ones so they could graze on the middling grass, then he would take out the choice ones to graze on the tough grass. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘One who knows how to herd the flocks, each according to its ability, will come and herd My people…
Moshe, too, the Holy One blessed be He tested him only with flocks…When Moshe, may he rest in peace, was herding Yitro’s flock in the wilderness, a kid fled from him. He pursued it until it reached cover. Once it reached cover, it happened upon a pool of water, and the kid stopped to drink. When Moshe reached it, he said: ‘I didn’t know that you were running due to thirst. You are tired.’ He carried it on his shoulder and was walking. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘You have the compassion to behave with the flocks belonging to flesh and blood in this manner; by your life, you will herd My flock, Israel.’ -Midrash Rabba
This is an amazing and surprisingly revealing Midrash. The two greatest Jewish leaders of all-time were Shepherds. What are the necessary qualities to be selected by HASHEM to become a leader of the Jewish Nation? Shlomo HaMelech writes in Mishlei, “Yodea TZADIK Nefesh b’hemto” – “The Tzadik knows the nature of his beast.” It would seem that one of the primary attributes is extreme sensitivity.
Dovid merited to become the King of Israel. What is the quality of a Jewish King? In Hebrew the word “Melech” for King does not connote a brutish authority. Just the opposite. The Hebrew word “Nimlach” means to take counsel. The Jewish King feels the pulse of the people. He not only needs to represent all that is noble and just to the people but he is the ultimate spokesperson for the people. The sages tell us that the king is the heart of the nation. The heart is connected to and distributes precious life blood to all the organs and extremities of the body.
A Jewish King like Dovid does not tell people what to think but he tells them what they are really thinking and feeling deep in their hearts. Through Tehillim Dovid HaMelech speaks to us and for us for all time. Dovid HaMelech was not just a warrior, or a statesman, or a politician, or a sage, or a singer, or a poet, or a musician, even though he was all of those things too. He shows us his heart and he reveals to us our heart in Sefer Tehillim. He was and we are a G-d intoxicated people. He was and still is the teacher of our heart.
The same standard was absolutely true for Moshe Rabbeinu. A leader of the Jewish Nation cannot be a bully or a boss demanding respect. Rather he must command respect, and be sensitive to the “flock”.
Aristotle understood that the best form of governance is a “Philosopher King”, a benevolent despot. It may seem like a major contradiction and an almost superhuman expectation. We know from human history that “power corrupts absolute and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. It is not a cynical view of mankind. It’s the reality for common people. A Jewish King, therefore, must be uncommonly sensitive, leading by example, and dutifully loyal to the moral law he represents, not drunk on power!
The Klausenberger Rebbe said that every profession requires different sets and combinations of qualities and skills. He asked, “What main quality does a rebbe, a teacher, need most to possess?” He answered, “Love of children” It’s so true. It’s not about erudition but rather an overpowering desire to reach the heart and mind of children.”
A wealthy man came to a Yeshiva to search for a Shidduch for his daughter, he was surveying the students with the Rosh HaYeshiva. He pointed to one boy and the Rosh HaYeshiva said, “That’s my Ben Yachid -only son!” He pointed towards another and was told again, “That’s my only son.” The wealthy man was perplexed and the Rosh HaYeshiva told him each one is my only son. That’s the mindset of a true Torah leader. He shepherds every holy sheep within his holy flock.