Beyond the Polls

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

One of the most crucial and fascinating aspects of the Mishkan was the center pole which went “from one end of the Mishkan structure to the other.” The Talmud (Shabbos 98b) tells us that it required a miracle for this center pole to work. What exactly was the miracle?

Rashi explains: This pole is what held the northern, southern, and western upright beams together. The craftsmen bored a hole into the center of each beam, and then this center pole was inserted through the beams. When the pole finished going through the northern beams, it bent miraculously, and continued through the western beams, bent again, and then went through the southern beams. This is something that an ordinary craftsman cannot do.

Although this pole was hidden within the beams and was not noticed by most people, it played a most important function in holding the Mishkan together. The qualities of this pole- bending, adaptable, and hidden- are considered a significant miracle in the building of the Mishkan.

What is the lesson and symbolism in this intriguing miracle?

The commentaries explain that this pole symbolizes the quiet leaders of the Jewish people. They operate and impact the community by influencing in a hidden way. Yet their greatness is that they are able to put their own biases and politics aside, bending and adapting themselves for a higher good. They do not live life in the limelight and therefore do not preface every move with the question, “What will people say?” Instead they proceed quietly and effectively to hold the community together.

I once witnessed how an old man was trying to cross a busy street, but he couldn’t, because the turning cars weren’t giving him the right of way. He was too old and scared to walk into the intersection until the cars stopped, and the cars would not stop because he had not set his foot into the intersection. I watched things unfold from across the street where I was stopped in my car at a red light, wishing that somehow I could do something for the man.

Suddenly, a young boy sized up the situation and placed himself into the crosswalk. The turning cars stopped for him. The old man crossed, and, with a cheery wave, the young boy continued on his way. The act of kindness that was to this young man’s credit was small and innocuous. But, it is the kind of advocacy and kindness that sustains the very fabric of society as we know it.

Helping someone cross the street he wants to cross is relatively easy. Sometimes an act of kindness may be a bit more challenging, as it may require delivering the bad news, possibly unsolicited, that a person is headed in the wrong direction. Often such kindness and advice are not taken well. In fact, sometimes the response, from otherwise seemingly sensible people, is downright abusive. Faced with such a situation, a quiet and hidden leader will do well to remember the lesson of the Brisker Rov.

The Brisker Rov was a quiet leader living in Israel in the mid-1900s. He did not hold a public leadership or political position, but he was recognized as a teacher and as a revered personality.

On a particular occasion, the municipality made a decision that was perceived by many as a severe compromise of public safety. The Brisker Rov was asked to intercede. The Rabbi approached the municipality official who had made the provocative and compromising decision. Although the Rabbi’s objections were greeted with screaming and curses, the Rabbi surprisingly maintained his composure and repeated his objections in a level voice until eventually the man calmed down and actually reversed his decision.

People who observed the exchange later asked the Rabbi how he managed to maintain his composure in the face of such abusive cursing. The Rabbi looked up surprised, “Cursing?! I guess I didn’t really hear what he was saying during that part of the conversation. I guess I was just too focused on the task that was before me.”

This is the role of the middle pole of the Mishkan. It may be quiet and hidden. Yet it is so focused and so influential.

For many years, people only recognized the few noticeable and well known leaders. Little attention was paid to the many who are so quiet, so focused, and so influential. The Torah teaches that an equal and sometimes greater appreciation goes to those who are represented by the hidden pole.

Modern wisdom is catching up to the Torah perspective. In the words of John Kotter, a Harvard professor, “Beyond the yellow brick road of naivete and the mugger’s lane of cynicism, there is a narrow path, poorly lighted, hard to find, and even harder to stay on once found. People who have the skill and the perseverance to take that path serve us in countless ways. We need more of these people. Many more.”

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Shabbos!

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