SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE:

This week has been one of history in the making as the first man of color stepped into the White House as president. I can’t imagine what pressure Barack Obama is experiencing. If I were him, I’d be searching for a mentor, one who has experience in leading a nation in turmoil, unsure of itself, facing new and unprecedented challenges.

I would suggest our greatest national leader — Moshe Rabeinu, Moses Our Teacher. How coincidental is it that our president takes office between last week’s chapter, Exodus, and this week’s chapter, Va’era, as Moses takes a ragtag group of slaves out of Egypt toward the promised land, where they become a nation of faith and vision. Like all leaders, Moses is not perfect and makes mistakes, but he has God’s unwavering confidence. What could Moses teach Obama?

In our portion this week God commands Moses: “Speak to the Pharaoh, the King of Egypt everything that I speak to you. Moses said before Hashem, ‘Behold, I have sealed lips, so how shall Pharaoh heed me.’” (Exodus 6:29-30).

There is a beautiful midrash that tells us that in the palace of Pharaoh there were interpreters who were fluent in all languages. Hence Pharaoh could converse with any dignitary who might visit. Moses said to God, “How will it reflect upon You if I am Your emissary and upon arrival in Egypt as the representative of the Creator of the world, I cannot converse in even one language. I am unfit to speak in Your name.”

God did not choose Moses because of charisma, nor his diplomacy. Au contraire, Moses was slow of speech, a reluctant leader at best. But Moses was honest and humble. These redeeming qualities made him great in his 40 years of leadership.

This is what Moses could teach Barack: Don’t forget who you are; don’t forget that you are one of the people. Be true to God, be true to yourself, and you will not only be able to endure your role, but you will be a leader extraordinaire.

MARC RUBENSTEIN is Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach’s rabbi.