Was I born a leader? Were you? The truth is, it doesn't matter; this moment in our history demands that we all come together. It's all hands on deck to sustain Jewish life for the future. What should I do if I'm unsure? If I'm not confident about how to lead? Where do I find the courage?
This week's Torah portion, Pinchas, begins with a striking act of leadership. Pinchas, the grandson of Aharon the Kohen, steps up at a critical moment for the Jewish people. In a time of moral crisis, he doesn't wait for someone else to take charge—he acts with courage, conviction, and self-sacrifice. His boldness not only halts a national downfall but also earns him G-d's eternal covenant of peace.
What makes this moment so powerful is that Pinchas wasn't originally part of the official leadership structure. He wasn't Moshe. He wasn't a tribal prince. He wasn't even a kohen yet. But leadership, the Torah reminds us, isn't just about titles. It's about action. It's about recognizing a moment and using your G-d-given strengths to respond. Pinchas didn't wait for permission—he listened to his inner moral compass and led from within.
This message came alive for me this past week when I attended a gathering of 53 Chabad rabbis in Raleigh, North Carolina. We came together from across the country, with diverse backgrounds and personalities, serving different communities. Some of us serve large, bustling centers. Others work with smaller, quieter populations. Some are fiery speakers. Others are deep listeners. But what united us all was a shared mission: to uplift, to support, to lead.
As I looked around the room, I was inspired by the uniqueness of each rabbi. No two were alike. And yet each one had found a way to lead—authentically, creatively, courageously. We strategized, we encouraged, and we reminded one another that leadership doesn't come from uniformity. It comes from the truth. From purpose. From showing up with the gifts Hashem has planted inside of us.
And this lesson isn't just for rabbis. It's for everyone. Each of us has a piece of leadership within us. In our families, workplaces, and communities, we are all placed in situations where our voice, our strength, and our guidance are needed. You don't need a title or a microphone to make an impact. Sometimes leadership is quietly showing up for a friend. Sometimes it's standing up for what's right when it's not popular. Sometimes it's simply being a role model by living with integrity and joy.
Like Pinchas, we each have moments in life when we are called to rise. When we are given the chance to step into our unique role and bring light where it's needed. Hashem doesn't expect us to lead like Moshe or Aharon or anyone else—He asks us to lead like ourselves.
So, let's ask ourselves: What does leadership look like for me? Where can I step up? What are the skills and strengths Hashem gave me that I can use to make a difference? Because leadership isn't for the few, it's the responsibility and the privilege of each of us.