Leaders Must Encourage "The Spirit of Man"

In Parshat Pinchas, Moshe is reminded of his own mortality and asks Hashem to appoint an appropriate successor.

Moses spoke to the Lord, saying:		טווַיְדַבֵּר משֶׁה אֶל יְהֹוָה לֵאמֹר:
16"Let the Lord, the God of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,		טזיִפְקֹד יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכָל בָּשָׂר אִישׁ עַל הָעֵדָה:

The description of God as “God of spirits of all flesh” is unique, and Rashi comments on it usage:

God of the spirits: Why is this said? He said to Him, “Master of the universe, the character of each person is revealed to you, and no two are alike. Appoint over them a leader who will tolerate each person according to his individual character.”- [Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 10]

אלהי הרוחות: למה נאמר, אמר לפניו רבש"ע גלוי וידוע לפניך דעתו של כל אחד ואחד ואינן דומין זה לזה, מנה עליהם מנהיג שיהא סובל כל אחד ואחד לפי דעתו:

In a subsequent verse, Moshe emphasizes the need for appropriate leadership: for if not the people will be left as sheep without a shepherd”. The implication seems to be that the quality of leadership Moshe is emphasizing is that of pastor: understanding the unique attitudes and needs of each person and appropriately addressing them in a personalized manner.

However, when Hashem tells Moshe that Yehoshua is the right leader to take over for Moshe, there seems to be a change in emphasis:

The Lord said to Moses, "Take for yourself Joshua the son of Nun, a man of spirit, and you shall lay your hand upon him.

יחוַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל משֶׁה קַח לְךָ אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן נוּן אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר רוּחַ בּוֹ וְסָמַכְתָּ אֶת יָדְךָ עָלָיו

Here Rashi quotes the Midrash Sifrei:

אשר רוח בו: כאשר שאלת שיוכל להלוך כנגד רוחו של כל אחד ואחד:

“as you requested, that he be able to go opposite the spirit of each individual”

Moshe asked for a leader that could personalize his message and individualize his advice according to the unique needs of each Jew. God provides a leader with an additional skill set: challenging each person. Why must the people be challenged? For the sake of unity.

The successor to Moshe would need to navigate the different interests and priorities of the people in order to craft a unified national mission- and then get everyone to buy into that mission.

Addressing the needs of each person in a compassionate and personalized manner is an important aspect of leadership. Just as important is challenging people to put aside their differences for a common good; to see ourselves beyond our specific needs and as a part of something greater than ourselves.