In a time when Jews are feeling under attack from many corners of society, it is more important than ever to focus on Jewish identity and pride, teaching our children who we are and the countless ways our people have contributed to humanity. One of our earliest contributions to society was in the area of leadership. As we once again begin the Torah reading cycle with Sefer Bereshit, we need to look no further than the Torah to see impactful examples of strong leadership.

One of the compelling aspects of the Torah and our biblical ancestors is that many achieved greatness in spite of all of their human imperfections. The stories of Abraham, Jacob, and Moses reveal leadership not through perfection but through human struggle and growth. These figures share certain qualities that speak to the core of what makes a leader truly great. More importantly, they exemplify leadership as a process shaped by flaws, challenges, and moments of vulnerability. Their journeys teach us that effective leadership is about rising above limitations, learning through adversity, and growing into responsible leaders guiding others.

Abraham’s leadership begins with his willingness to act, even when faced with uncertainty. His journey, symbolized by his departure from his homeland in Bereshit, shows his readiness to take on the unknown, to lead his family and future nation forward. Yet what makes Abraham remarkable is not just his courage but his moral conviction. He is willing to challenge even divine justice when he pleads for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. This ability to argue on behalf of others, to fight for what he believes to be right, reveals a leader who values justice and compassion over unquestioning acceptance. Abraham’s actions teach us that leadership involves a deep sense of responsibility toward others, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Abraham’s courage goes beyond his audacity; it is grounded in a deep moral sense. his defense of the innocent in Sodom and Gomorrah demonstrates that true leadership is more than just achieving goals.  It is also about ensuring that those goals are pursued ethically. In standing up for justice, Abraham embodies the idea that great leaders are those who act not out of self-interest but in service of higher principles, placing the well-being of others at the forefront. Did Abraham always hit the mark? No. But, what person does?  

Jacob’s path to leadership is more complex. He begins as a significantly flawed individual, deceiving his brother Esau and manipulating his way into receiving their father’s blessing. However, it was not through this deceit that Jacob became a leader, rather from his later transformation. Jacob’s life was filled with struggles. His transformative struggle was wrestling with an angel in Bereshit, which left him both wounded and with a new name, Israel. This moment can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles that define him; wrestling with his past mistakes, his identity, and the future of his family. Jacob’s leadership emerges through his perseverance and ability to change. His story demonstrates that great leaders are not always those who start off great but those who evolve and grow through their challenges, learning from their mistakes and becoming  better versions of themselves.

Jacob’s journey reflects the idea that character is not fixed; it can be shaped and improved upon. We need to be able to confront our mistakes and our past in order to grow. His journey shows that ethical growth, even after moral failings, is not only possible but essential for true leadership. By the time Jacob becomes the father of the twelve tribes, he embodies the leader who has learned that integrity and accountability are the cornerstones of true leadership and lasting influence.

Moses, the most famous leader of the three, also begins his journey on shaky ground, grappling with self-doubt and even resistance to his calling. When first called to lead, Moses questioned his own ability, asking, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” This humility, while initially a barrier, becomes a defining trait of his leadership. Moses never seeks personal power or glory; rather, he is driven by a sense of duty to his people. His leadership is marked by loyalty to them, even when they turn against him.  Moses shows that leadership is not about leading from a distance but about standing with and among your people, even when they make mistakes. 

His commitment to the Israelites, even when they stray, demonstrates that true leaders act not out of self-interest but out of a commitment to the moral and ethical values that bind a community together. Moses' leadership teaches that character is not simply about being personally good—it is about upholding and nurturing the ethical framework of the entire group. He ensures that the values of justice, fairness, and compassion are upheld even when it is difficult or unpopular, reinforcing the essential connection between character and effective leadership. Most of all he accomplished this not through coercion, rather through modeling and teaching. In fact, the entire book of Devarim can be seen as a prolonged lesson that Moses teaches, preparing the Israelites to build a just and fair society, based on Torah in the “promised land.”

All three Biblical leaders share in common an understanding that leadership is a process. None of them begin their journeys as “perfect” models of leaders. Abraham, though courageous, has moments of doubt, especially at the beginning of his journey. Jacob begins as a deceiver, and Moses is initially reluctant and unsure of himself. Yet all of them grow into their roles, learning through their struggles and mistakes, and ultimately rising to the occasion when their people need them most.  

This shared trait of growth and transformation is what makes their stories so compelling, so real and so relatable. In a world where leaders are often expected to be flawless, these Biblical figures remind us that leadership is not about avoiding mistakes but about learning from them. Their journeys show that vulnerability, self-reflection, and perseverance are essential to effective leadership. They model a type of leadership that is deeply human—marked by flaws, growth, and a commitment to something greater than themselves. At the core of their development as leaders is their ethical character—refined through struggle and essential for guiding others responsibly. And through this we learn that Judaism places the highest value on leaders who are ethical, just, and put the people that they lead first.

The importance of these traits in leadership cannot be overstated. Leaders, whether in ancient times or today, are not defined by their ability to avoid failure but by their capacity to rise above it. Abraham’s sense of justice, Jacob’s transformation, and Moses’ loyalty and tenacity, all teach us that leadership is a constant process of becoming. What sets these figures apart is not that they were flawless from the start but that they each found a way to grow into greatness despite their human limitations. In the end, they were not born leaders—they became leaders, through struggle, growth, and a deep commitment to their people and to the ethical principles that guided their paths.

Abraham, Jacob, and Moses are among our earliest role models, our earliest heroes. They set the stage for all those who have followed and continue to follow - Jews who make a difference in our lives and for humanity. We need to rediscover our heroes and our role models and celebrate them with our children! And there is no better place to begin  this time of year than in the Torah!