BEHALOTCHA – MORE LIGHT, LESS EGO · Sukkat Shalom B'nei Noach

בס”ד

People often think that relationships are measured by power, the concentration of authority, and strictly guarding an unquestioned status. However, this week’s Torah portion teaches us the exact opposite lesson. True relationship, as demonstrated by Moses, is not about putting others down to make oneself look bigger. It is precisely the opposite: it is about empowering those around you and feeling genuine joy in their success, without ever feeling threatened.

The story begins when the “Asafsuf” (the mixed multitude)—a group of converts who joined the nation out of fear from the plagues of Egypt rather than for the sake of Heaven—once again find a reason to complain. “Who will feed us meat?”, they claim, longing falsely for their past in Egypt. This complaint did not come from actual physical hunger, but rather from a desire to cast off moral responsibility and search for excuses. Moses asks Hashem, “How can I provide them with meat?” The Creator replies with two clear instructions. First, sharing the burden and the spirit: Moses is to gather seventy men from the elders of Israel, upon whom Moses’s spirit of prophecy will be granted, so they can assist him in leading. The second instruction: for a full month, the Creator will provide the Children of Israel with meat in massive quantities so they will understand the worthlessness of chasing material desires.

Moses does as G-d commanded and gathers seventy elders outside the Tent of Meeting. The Creator rests the prophecy spirit upon them, and they begin to prophesy. However, at the same time, an unexpected event takes place inside the camp itself. Two elders, Eldad and Medad, who out of extreme humility did not view themselves as worthy to be counted among the seventy, stayed behind. Despite this, the prophecy did not skip over them; they began to prophesy independently right in the heart of the camp.

Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’s loyal servant, sees this as a severe blow to Moses’s authority and status. He rushes to Moses and begs him: “My lord Moses, stop them! They are challenging your exclusivity as the leader and prophet.” Moses’s response captures the very essence of true leadership and human relations. He wishes that the Creator would grant His spirit to the entire nation. There is not a single hint of jealousy in him—only pure joy that more people achieved such a high spiritual level.

Most interpersonal sins like murder, stealing, and robbery are born from an inflated ego. A life of “More Light, Less Ego” recognizes that there is enough Divine abundance for everyone. When you do not feel threatened by the existence or success of your neighbor, the temptation to harm them or steal from them vanishes entirely. . In the spiritual world, power acts like the flame of a candle: you can light thousands of other candles, and your own light will not be diminished in the slightest.

For Noahides, this lesson from Moses redefines the role of a leader. A true leader empowers others and helps them grow. His highest aspiration is to see the people under his care elevate themselves. One who knows that he is not working for his own personal honor, but rather for a Divine purpose, views the success of his fellow man as the ultimate fulfillment of his own mission.

By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein

Sources: Numbers Chapter 11, Verses 4-6. Numbers Chapter 11, Verses 26-28. Rashi on Numbers 11-26

If you want more questions for contemplation, SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI MOSHE BERNSTEIN