Torah For Our Times: I Am Accountable

First and foremost, effective leadership requires accountability.  Accountability, itself, is not measured in words but in factual/truthful deeds!  We are living in a moment when what passes for accountability is too often determined by alternative facts and alternative truths.  It should be of no surprise, then, to find a general malaise among today’s citizenry accompanied by a lack of faith and trust in current political leadership. . . on both sides of the aisle!

After returning from atop Mt. Sinai, only to find the ancient Israelites already worshipping a golden calf, Moses realized it was not just his people who were wrong, but himself as well.  He had not taken the necessary steps to imbue a faith and trust in his leadership.  He knew he could do better!  Moses would accomplish this task through the building of a portable sanctuary (Mish’kan) to accompany the Israelites during their 40-year journey.

The project began with a call for donations of gold, silver, and an array of rich fabrics to be used in the construction of the portable sanctuary.  The talented artisan Bezalel was appointed to supervise the construction.  Everything was in place and the work began.  With the completion of this building project, and prior to its formal dedication, Moses gave a full and complete accounting for every donated item used in the construction of the Mish’kan/Tabernacle.  Though he would continue encountering a variety of complaints and concerns, no one any longer doubted the truth and accountability in his leadership.

As a result of the actions of Moses in the desert, a thousand years later the ancient rabbis would require the same level of accountability for those who collected and distributed funds, clothing, food, or housing for the needy and poor in the community.  Communal leadership was also held to this higher standard.

The notion of truthful governmental accountability and transparency remains a time-honored requirement of effective democratic leadership.  We should expect no less from political leaders in our day!

Rabbi Howard Siegel