Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph

Today we are bombarded with the comings and goings of the rich and famous on social media, television, magazines and newspapers.  Scientific American magazine reported a study that a desire for fame solely for the sake of being famous was the most popular future goal among a group of 10-12 year olds. That is, when 10-12 years old were asked about their future goals, most said that they “just wanted to be famous”. Their goal was not financial success, not professional success, not getting married or having a family – their goal was to be famous!

Why do pre-adolescents want to be famous? First, they equate “fame” with being valued and recognized by the larger public. Second, fame is associated with wealth, power and a lavish lifestyle. Third, pre-teens believe that the riches and high profile associated with fame would make family and friends proud of them.

Fame and power are also alluded to in the Torah. The Torah tells us that “Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, among Pharaoh’s courtiers and among the people of Egypt.” (Exodus 11:3) His reputation even spread outside of Egypt. Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of Moses’ fame and accomplishments in the Land of Midian. (Exodus 18:1) Indeed, the word spread far and wide. We read in the Song of the Sea, “The nations heard and trembled”. (Exodus 15:14-16) The name of Moses, it appears, is known throughout the ancient world.

Yet we know that fame and celebrity meant nothing to Moses.  He didn’t care whether he was famous or not.  When G-d becomes angry with the Israelites, he threatens to wipe them out and begin the People of Israel over with Moses.  “I will destroy them, and make YOU a great nation,” says G-d to Moses. (Exodus 32:10) Moses, however, is worried more about G-d’s reputation than his own posterity. “People will say, ‘You took them out of Egypt only to kill them in the desert!’” (Exodus 32:12), he   argues. Furthermore, says Moses, if you don’t forgive the Israelites, then you might as well erase my name from the Torah. (Exodus 32:32) Moses doesn’t care about fame, Moses doesn’t care about his personal legacy, Moses doesn’t care about being remembered in the Torah — all he cares about is the cause that he is serving.  All he cares about is G-d and the Jewish people.

Author Leil Lowndes writes: “There are two kinds of people in this life. Those who walk into a room and say, ‘Well, here I am.’ And those who walk in and say, ‘Ah, there you are’.  Moses is of the second type. He gained his fame through his selflessness, compassion and service to others.