“Who is honoured? One who honours others.”
— Pirkei Avot 4:15
Across faiths and centuries, Moses and his legacy continue to shape our lives. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—faiths that honour Moses as a prophet—represent over 4.6 billion people, more than half of humanity. Not only is he one of the most revered prophets in the Torah but he is the most frequently mentioned prophet in the Quran. His teachings, along with the Ten Commandments he received on Mount Sinai, are also embraced by Christians.
As a psychotherapist, CEO coach, and an author I have spent my life studying how embracing spirituality can lead to better leadership skills. I often look to Moses as an example of a truly inspiring leader—one who is identified as a humble servant, but still displays confidence and courage beyond measure.
Moses is known as the greatest of our leaders, the humblest of men, all while still possessing the audacity, the holy “chutzpah,” to challenge God. Moses’s virtuousness is front and centre in our stories from the burning bush to the Exodus from Egypt. “Moshe Rabbeinu” means he is our teacher. We’ve followed him not just through the desert but through the example he set.
This is especially true during Shavuot, the celebration of receiving the Torah. At Har Sinai, arguably one of the most defining moments in Jewish history, Moses is our guiding hand, bridging heaven and earth. And yet, according to the Torah, nobody knows where Moses is buried. Our greatest of prophets, buried without fanfare as one last radical act of humility.
Like the Buddha, whose mother died shortly after birth, and many others who have risen to greatness, Moses too suffers early trauma when he is separated from his parents as a baby. For his own protection, Moses is given away and put on the Nile to be raised in the house of a domineering, abusive grandfather, the Pharaoh. Moses even famously begins his life with a speech impediment, despite going on to deliver some of the most moving words in the bible.
But what I find the most unique about Moses is how he balances his leadership with utter egolessness. Despite being such a powerful figure, he still acts as the “Servant of God” (Exodus 14:31) and of his people first.
Yet when challenged by Korach, a power-hungry rival, Moses does not defend his authority but humbly replies, “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him . . . The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him” (Numbers 16:3-5). Rather than boasting about his role as God’s chosen messenger, Moses’s reaction is to ask, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11). Though Moses is known as the “Eved Hashem,” usually translated as “Servant of God,” the more literal translation of the phrase is the even stronger moniker, “Slave of God.”
Moses isn’t perfect, of course. He has his moments of despair, pleading with God, “The burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favour in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness” (Numbers 11:15), yet nonetheless rises again. Later, he famously succumbs to his anger with the Jewish people, striking the rock in the desert meant to give them water, rather than obeying God by speaking to it (Numbers 20:11). Some say this is why Moses isn’t allowed to enter the Promised Land at the end of his life, but the Kabbalistic explanation is that if he had, it would have ushered in Messianic times (for which the world was not ready). Of course, in the time of the Messiah, Moses will reincarnate and finally be allowed to enter the Promised Land.
But, throughout the highs and lows, the victories and disappointments, Moses stays committed to the collective well-being, navigating unprecedented challenges with compassion and faith. He knows true leadership involves growth and humility in the face of one’s own limitations. That’s in part why he makes it to the ripe old age of 120, eyes bright and undimmed to his final days (Deuteronomy 34:7). This shows us that when we passionately engage with life, vibrancy and light can continue to flow through us, at any age.
In modern leadership discourse, Moses’s qualities—confidence, compassion, humility, and service—are increasingly recognized as essential for success and greater fulfillment. Moses’s life story teaches us that we are capable of achieving far more than we might have ever believed. He teaches us that leadership is about staying grounded, and remaining devoted servants to truth and a purpose beyond oneself. His willingness to carry the burdens of his people, to intercede on their behalf, and to accept his own limitations, reflects a deep spiritual maturity that transcends mere authority.
In a world, now hungrier than ever for enlightened, egoless leadership, Moses stands apart as a guiding light. May we all continue to learn from him, and be blessed to live to one hundred and beyond.
“Who is honoured? One who honours others.”
— Pirkei Avot 4:15
Across faiths and centuries, Moses and his legacy continue to shape our lives. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—faiths that honour Moses as a prophet—represent over 4.6 billion people, more than half of humanity. Not only is he one of the most revered prophets in the Torah but he is the most frequently mentioned prophet in the Quran. His teachings, along with the Ten Commandments he received on Mount Sinai, are also embraced by Christians.
As a psychotherapist, CEO coach, and an author I have spent my life studying how embracing spirituality can lead to better leadership skills. I often look to Moses as an example of a truly inspiring leader—one who is identified as a humble servant, but still displays confidence and courage beyond measure.
Moses is known as the greatest of our leaders, the humblest of men, all while still possessing the audacity, the holy “chutzpah,” to challenge God. Moses’s virtuousness is front and centre in our stories from the burning bush to the Exodus from Egypt. “Moshe Rabbeinu” means he is our teacher. We’ve followed him not just through the desert but through the example he set.
This is especially true during Shavuot, the celebration of receiving the Torah. At Har Sinai, arguably one of the most defining moments in Jewish history, Moses is our guiding hand, bridging heaven and earth. And yet, according to the Torah, nobody knows where Moses is buried. Our greatest of prophets, buried without fanfare as one last radical act of humility.
Like the Buddha, whose mother died shortly after birth, and many others who have risen to greatness, Moses too suffers early trauma when he is separated from his parents as a baby. For his own protection, Moses is given away and put on the Nile to be raised in the house of a domineering, abusive grandfather, the Pharaoh. Moses even famously begins his life with a speech impediment, despite going on to deliver some of the most moving words in the bible.
But what I find the most unique about Moses is how he balances his leadership with utter egolessness. Despite being such a powerful figure, he still acts as the “Servant of God” (Exodus 14:31) and of his people first.
Yet when challenged by Korach, a power-hungry rival, Moses does not defend his authority but humbly replies, “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him . . . The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him” (Numbers 16:3-5). Rather than boasting about his role as God’s chosen messenger, Moses’s reaction is to ask, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11). Though Moses is known as the “Eved Hashem,” usually translated as “Servant of God,” the more literal translation of the phrase is the even stronger moniker, “Slave of God.”
Moses isn’t perfect, of course. He has his moments of despair, pleading with God, “The burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favour in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness” (Numbers 11:15), yet nonetheless rises again. Later, he famously succumbs to his anger with the Jewish people, striking the rock in the desert meant to give them water, rather than obeying God by speaking to it (Numbers 20:11). Some say this is why Moses isn’t allowed to enter the Promised Land at the end of his life, but the Kabbalistic explanation is that if he had, it would have ushered in Messianic times (for which the world was not ready). Of course, in the time of the Messiah, Moses will reincarnate and finally be allowed to enter the Promised Land.
But, throughout the highs and lows, the victories and disappointments, Moses stays committed to the collective well-being, navigating unprecedented challenges with compassion and faith. He knows true leadership involves growth and humility in the face of one’s own limitations. That’s in part why he makes it to the ripe old age of 120, eyes bright and undimmed to his final days (Deuteronomy 34:7). This shows us that when we passionately engage with life, vibrancy and light can continue to flow through us, at any age.
In modern leadership discourse, Moses’s qualities—confidence, compassion, humility, and service—are increasingly recognized as essential for success and greater fulfillment. Moses’s life story teaches us that we are capable of achieving far more than we might have ever believed. He teaches us that leadership is about staying grounded, and remaining devoted servants to truth and a purpose beyond oneself. His willingness to carry the burdens of his people, to intercede on their behalf, and to accept his own limitations, reflects a deep spiritual maturity that transcends mere authority.
In a world, now hungrier than ever for enlightened, egoless leadership, Moses stands apart as a guiding light. May we all continue to learn from him, and be blessed to live to one hundred and beyond.