What does it take to be Kohanim?

After last week's detailed instruction of constructing the Tabernacle, Parshat Tetzaveh tells how God speaks to Moses about how the Israelites will use the Tabernacle to help them on their way to the Promised land. God proclaims that Aaron and his sons will be the priestly leaders of the caravan. They will be known as the Kohanim. Did you know Jews consider people with the last name Kohen/Cohen to be destined for leadership for this very reason? The Kohanim get their first instructions of leading worship. They learn how to dress like leaders, speak like leaders, and carry out laws like leaders. With the Tabernacle's furnishing and leadership taking shape, the question of returning to Egypt seems to be fading faster in this parshat.

Why have Kohanim? Aaron and his sons had to be speakers for Moses. Midrash says that Moses had a lisp. God would speak through Moses, who would tell Aaron. Then, the Kohanim announced the message or commandment to the people. Also, the Kohanim would lead any religious duties in the desert. If somebody became ritually unclean, the Kohanim could tell them how to atone properly. Specifically, God tells the Kohanim how to perform ritual sacrifice. In Biblical times, the Kohanim were the only religious leaders of their day. Over the course of the ages, Jews needed local leaders and scholars which became the modern day rabbi.

Do the Kohanim have the making of strong Jewish leaders? A Jewish leader needs to be able to think and think quick on their feet.If Israel is in crisis, the leader would need to be able to communicate it in an appropriate way to the people within hours of the event. Also, the superior must have a way with words to communicate with his or her subordinates. For most Jewish leaders, this includes a decent understanding of the Hebrew language. Finally, a Jewish leader must show empathy and compassion. A cold power will destroy even a thriving Jewish community. Let us see; the ability to think, communicate, and care. Sounds like Jewish and secular leaders share some similar attributes.

All this talk about leaders got me thinking this week. If there are leaders in the world, do there need to be followers? My parents are always saying, "Be a leader, not a follower." I believe that all parents desire their child to be the same way. If everyone is a leader, there would not be anybody to follow them. Perhaps, all those parents want us to be leader in our forte. I could lead a seder, but when it comes to music I will leave that to my band teachers. We can all be leaders at certain times. As long as we are not always a passenger, we can occasionally hang around for the ride. It goes back to what a leader needs to have. In any situation, the leaders need to think about the consequences or rewards of their actions. Aaron and his sons got us to Israel, they must have done something right!