"כְּנֶ֙שֶׁר֙ יָעִ֣יר קִנּ֔וֹ עַל־גּוֹזָלָ֖יו יְרַחֵ֑ף יִפְרֹ֤שׂ כְּנָפָיו֙ יִקָּחֵ֔הוּ יִשָּׂאֵ֖הוּ עַל־אֶבְרָתֽוֹ׃"
"Like an eagle who rouses [protects] his nest, fluttering over his young, He extends His wings, grasps them, He bears them on His [strong] wing."
Approaching the end of the Torah, Moshe shares powerful images in the stirring poem of Haazinu. As we’ve seen earlier on in Chumash, Hashem’s relationship with Bnei Yisrael is likened to that of an eagle with its young.
Naturally, we expect this to be a reflection of Hashem’s immense superiority and strength. As Rav Yitzchak Shmuel Reggio in his 18th century commentary captures it, “The eagle rises up, flying higher than all other birds - fearing nothing but the arrow. It carries its young above its wings…”
At the same time, the boundless empathy of Hashem’s leadership is evident in this image. Rashi writes, “He guided them with mercy and compassion like the eagle which is full of compassion towards its young - so it does not enter its nest suddenly - until it beats and flaps with its wings above its young passing between tree and tree, between branch and branch, so that its young can awake and have enough strength to receive it.”
Hashem is the all-powerful King of the world. However, especially during these days of Teshuva and upliftment, we need to remind ourselves that before He is, ‘Malkeinu’, He is, ‘Avinu’ - our Father in Heaven who leads us with care and love. It is then at that point that we acknowledge Hashem not just as ‘Father’, but also as ‘King’. It is wonderful that He may care like a father, but we have to affirm our belief that He also has the power to direct the world at large and make remarkable things happen for us as individuals.
Rav Kook zt”l teaches in ‘Yisurim Memarkim’ that as we ‘grow up’, we need to simultaneously mature our perception of Hashem. At this time of the year, we can perform this ‘core Teshuva’ of mending and enhancing our understanding of G-d - a core belief that influences all that we see and do. We have an opportunity to advance our understanding and internalization of Hashem as, ‘Avinu’ and ‘Malkeinu’.
In modern workplace psychology, there is an increasing focus on the need to elevate leaders who not only can show power, but are deeply empathetic. These two seemingly contradictory traits have to go hand in hand for effective leadership and growth. “Leaders who empathize… demonstrate the ability to identify and share in the feelings others experience. In other words, empathy is sympathy internalized, making leaders not only more self-aware but more thoughtful and strategic in their business decisions.” (K Dennison, Forbes).
To lead like an eagle - blending power and empathy is undoubtedly a fulfillment of “Walking in His Ways”. (Devarim 28:9)
May we find many opportunities to lead with love and experience that same guidance from Above. Shabbat Shalom and Gmar Chatima Tova!
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