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The Children of Israel, traveling in the wilderness, were finding challenges in adapting Torah as a way of life. Some of Israel was seeking excuses to relinquish themselves from the obligations of the Torah (Rashi 1040-1105; Numbers 11:1).

Moses speaks to God about his leadership position: "Where shall I (Moses) get meat to give to the entire nation ... I alone cannot lead this nation ... And if this is how You (God) are with me, then dispose of me now ... and let me not witness my failure" (Numbers 11:13-15).

The Sforno (1475-1550) explains Moses' statements:

-- "I alone cannot lead this nation" and I need help from others.
-- "And if this how You (God) are with me (Moses)," and you refuse to lend me support because you are concerned my (Moses) honor will be hurt by sharing the leadership.
-- "Then dispose of me now" so that You (God) may appoint others to lead and teach Israel properly. I will not feel ashamed by sharing the leadership role.
-- "And let me not witness my failure," let me not stay alive and see others lead and teach where I could not because that would be worse than death.

According to the Sforno, Moses blamed his own shortcomings as the cause for Israel's baseless complaints. The answer, then, was to appoint new leaders. However, God had not. Therefore, Moses said to God, if you're trying to spare me the pain of losing my leadership and watching others succeed where I had failed, "then dispose of me now."

But, if "Moses was exceedingly humble, more than any other person on the face of the earth!" (Numbers 12:3) why would he be hurt by sharing the leadership or seeing others do a better job?

Humility comes from recognizing one's own shortcomings. Moses understood that, had he been a better teacher, he might have been able to prevent the Jews from complaining. If anyone else could do a better job, Moses was prepared to relinquish his leadership.

Does that mean there's no pain to see another succeed where you have failed, to lose your leadership role to a better person? Even the most humble man may feel the loss of leadership.

So great is the pain of failure that people are often quick to blame others before they blame themselves. Even Moses, "exceedingly humble," felt the pain. Yet, we need to learn from Moses' example -- examine our own shortcomings before others and be prepared to step down so that others can step forward.

Rabbi Chaim Lobel is the spiritual leader of Young Israel of Aberdeen
www.yiaberdeen.com.