Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 2

Hook

Ever wonder what it's like to be in charge? We all have bosses, teachers, or even parents who are "in charge" of us. But imagine being the top leader, the one everyone looks up to. What kind of rules would guide you? And what kind of rules would guide everyone else in how they treat you? Today, we’re going to peek into ancient Jewish wisdom to explore the surprising job description of a king – a role that comes with both immense honor and profound humility.

Context

Let's set the stage for our journey into Jewish thought about leadership.

• Who: Our guide today is a brilliant scholar named Maimonides. He lived centuries ago and is one of the most respected figures in Jewish history.
• When: Maimonides lived in the 12th century, during medieval times, mostly in Egypt. He was a physician, philosopher, and legal expert.
• Where: He wrote his major works while living in Egypt, where he served as a court physician.
• Key Term: The text we're studying comes from his masterpiece, the Mishneh Torah. This is a huge, organized guide to Jewish law, written by Maimonides himself. Think of it like a grand instruction manual for Jewish life, covering everything from daily prayers to how a society should be run.

Maimonides wanted to make Jewish law clear and accessible to everyone, organizing it by topic. Today, we're looking at a fascinating section about the rules for kings, found in the book called "Kings and Wars."

Text Snapshot

Let's read a few lines from the Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 2, that capture this fascinating balance:

"The king must be treated with great honor. We must implant awe and fear of him in the hearts of all men. The command Deuteronomy 17:15: 'Appoint a king' implies the obligation to be in awe of him."

And yet, it also says:

"He should always conduct himself with great humility. There is none greater than Moses, our teacher. Yet, he said Exodus 16:8: 'What are we? Your complaints are not against us.' He should bear the nation's difficulties, burdens, complaints, and anger as a nurse carries an infant."

You can find the full text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Kings_and_Wars_2

Close Reading

These lines from Maimonides paint a rich picture of a Jewish king, highlighting two powerful ideas: the immense honor due to the king's role, and the profound humility required of the king as a person. Let's unpack a few insights.

Insight 1: The King's Unwavering Honor (It’s Not About Him, It’s About the Job!)

Maimonides makes it crystal clear: a king is not just a regular person with a fancy title. The office of kingship itself carries a sacred weight, and everyone must show extreme reverence. This isn't just a suggestion; it's a command based on the Torah.

The text gives us many examples of this honor:

• Unique Possessions: No one else can ride his horse, sit on his throne, use his scepter, wear his crown, or use his personal items. When he dies, these special items are burned before his coffin, not passed on to just anyone. (Steinsaltz commentary notes this burning is a sign of deep respect.)
• Special Staff: Even his personal servants and attendants are treated differently. For example, Avishag, who served King David but was not his wife, was only permitted to serve another king (like David's son, Solomon). She couldn't serve Adoniyahu, who tried to become king but wasn't officially one. (Steinsaltz and Ohr Sameach explain this distinction: a king's personal staff and belongings belong to the office of kingship, not just the man, and can only pass to another king.)
• Forbidden Intimacy: A king's wife is forbidden to anyone else, forever, even another king. This highlights the unique, almost holy, status of his household.
• No Embarrassment: People are not allowed to see him naked, getting a haircut, or in the bath. These are private moments that would diminish his public stature.
• The Chalitzah Rule: This is a fascinating example. Chalitzah is a ceremony where a childless widow is freed from marrying her brother-in-law by having him remove her shoe and she spits before him. (Steinsaltz clarifies: the spitting is on the ground, not on him, but still a gesture of rejection.) Maimonides states a king cannot perform chalitzah. Why? Because the act of having someone spit before him, even respectfully on the ground, would be disrespectful to the king's honor. And here's the kicker: "Even if he desires to perform this mitzvah, he is not given the opportunity because a king's honor must be preserved even though he is willing to forgo it." (Steinsaltz commentary emphasizes this: unlike other leaders, a king's honor cannot be waived, even by himself.) This tells us that the honor isn't about the king's personal ego; it’s about the dignity of the role itself, which serves a larger purpose for the nation.

Insight 2: The King's Essential Humility (It’s All About Serving Others!)

While the king is due immense honor, the Torah also demands profound humility from him. This isn't a contradiction, but a crucial balance for effective leadership.

• "Lowly and Empty at Heart": The text quotes Psalms 109:22, advising the king to be "lowly and empty at heart." This means cultivating an inner state of modesty, recognizing that true power comes from a place of service, not arrogance. He must not "lift up his heart above his brothers" (Deuteronomy 17:20), remembering he is still part of the people.
• Gracious and Merciful: A king should be kind and compassionate to everyone, from the most powerful to the most humble, actively working for their welfare and protecting their dignity.
• Speaking Gently to the Community: When addressing the entire nation, he should speak gently, like Moses did, saying, "Listen my brothers and my people" (I Chronicles 28:2). This shows a leader who connects with his people, rather than commands from a distance.
• Bearing Burdens Like a Nurse: Maimonides compares the king to a nurse carrying an infant, bearing the nation's difficulties, complaints, and even anger with patience and care. This image emphasizes nurturing, protection, and unconditional support.
• Honoring Wisdom in Private: Here's another fascinating nuance: while in public the king stands for no one, in private, before his servants, he should act differently. He should honor Torah scholars, even rising from his throne to kiss them and call them "My teacher and master," as King Jehosephat did. This shows that while the role demands public awe, the person must privately acknowledge and honor wisdom and spiritual authority above his own. This distinction between public and private conduct is key to understanding the full picture of this leadership role.

These insights reveal a deeply nuanced understanding of leadership. A king's honor is not for personal glorification, but to embody the dignity and stability of the nation. His humility ensures that this power is used for the good of the people, guided by wisdom and compassion.

Apply It

This week, let's try a small, simple practice that connects to these big ideas about leadership and respect.

Choose one of these options, taking just 60 seconds each day:

1. Acknowledge a "Role": Pick someone in your daily life who serves in a role that helps others (e.g., a bus driver, a cashier, a teacher, a healthcare worker, someone who cleans your building). Take a moment to genuinely acknowledge the importance of their role, even if it's just a silent thought of appreciation. You don't have to say anything aloud, just recognize the dignity in their contribution.
2. Practice Private Humility: In a quiet moment, think about someone you admire for their wisdom or kindness. Reflect on what you've learned from them, or how they inspire you to be better. This is like the king privately honoring a Torah scholar – recognizing wisdom outside of your own.

This simple practice helps us see the value in others' contributions and reminds us of the importance of both respect for roles and personal humility.

Chevruta Mini

Here are two friendly questions to ponder with a friend, family member, or even just in your own thoughts:

1. Maimonides describes a king who must project awe and authority in public, but practice deep humility and honor wisdom in private. How do you see this public/private balance playing out (or struggling to play out) in leaders today, or even in your own life (e.g., at work versus at home)?
2. The text teaches that a king’s honor is so inherent to his role that he cannot even waive it himself, like for the chalitzah ceremony. What does this tell us about the importance of certain roles, traditions, or even institutions in society, where the "rules" might transcend an individual's personal preferences?

Takeaway

Remember this: True leadership, according to Jewish wisdom, is a powerful dance between projecting honor for the role and embodying genuine humility for the people.