Spiritual leadership is not inherited. This is emphasized, for example, in the case of King David, who descended from Ruth the Moabite. It is a person’s qualities that make them fit to lead; royal bloodlines are not the determining factor.
Anyone who enters a position of leadership is warned “not to become haughty over his brethren” (Deuteronomy 17:20). A leader must not become proud. He must remain connected to the entire people and work for their unity. A leader whose purpose is to unite everyone does not feel elevated above the people. Such is the nature of connection. It places everyone on equal footing.
King David succeeded in uniting all the tribes during difficult egoistic conditions and is therefore regarded as a symbol of leadership. He established the educational and cultural principle of “Love your neighbor as yourself” in a profoundly deep way. Since then, the people of Israel have never reached such a level. When humanity returns to that state in the future, it will be regarded as the coming of the “Messiah son of David.” The Messiah is a special force capable of drawing those who desire it out of a state of egoism and unfounded hatred into a state where all of Israel are friends, responsible for one another, and united “as one man with one heart.”
It is said of King Solomon that he was granted wisdom, great understanding, and breadth of heart, “as vast as the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 5:9). “Breadth” symbolizes kindness. A “broad heart” is a state in which, as a result of kindness, “the heart understands.” It refers to a profound understanding of all creation.
Solomon succeeded in relating to everything with love, and as a result he perceived all of nature—the still, vegetative, animate, and human levels—as one mechanism, a single integrated system. All of nature seemed to exist within him. He could observe it from beginning to end with deep familiarity, and from this arose his extraordinary wisdom. Through the wisdom of his heart, Solomon led the people to a state in which “every man sat under his vine and under his fig tree” (1 Kings 5:5).
May we connect, broaden our hearts, and merit the same.
Based on “New Life 180 – Leadership, Part 1” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.