05 Nov A WEALTH OF WISDOM: RESPECTING POWER AS HASHEM DOES

During election
season, society
often splits, with
some supporting
the sitting president
and others
opposing him. It’s become common to hear
people making jokes and derogatory remarks
about the president-elect. This practice is so
widespread that many of us may follow the
trend without even thinking. Today, we aim
to explore what the Torah and Chazal have
to say about such behavior and the respect
we owe to leaders, regardless of our personal
opinions.
Various sources emphasize the importance
of showing respect toward leaders, including
kings, presidents, and government officials,
and certainly avoiding any form of disrespect
or defamation toward them.
Baba Ben Buta and Hordus
Let’s start with the story of Baba Ben Buta
and Hordus.
The story of Ben Buta is cited in the Talmud
(Baba Batra 3b-4a) to illustrate respect for
authority—even when the leader is flawed
or corrupt. Ben Buta, a sage from the
Talmudic era, showed remarkable restraint
and wisdom in his dealings with Hordus, the
infamous king of Judea. Hordus, known for
his cruelty, sought to eliminate opposition
and was notorious for executing anyone he
deemed a threat, including members of the
Sanhedrin and even his own family.
Hordus deeply resented the rabbis, and
to remove them as potential threats to his
rule, he massacred many of them. However,
he spared Ben Buta, a prominent sage, but
blinded him. Over time, Hordus began
to regret his actions, as he knew he had
destroyed an essential source of guidance
and wisdom in Israel.
One day, Hordus came to Ben Buta in disguise
and tried to provoke him into speaking ill
of the king. He asked Ben Buta questions
designed to get him to criticize Hordus harsh
rule and his massacre of the sages. Despite
his pain and knowledge of the cruelty, Ben
Buta did not condemn the king. Instead, he
answered Hordus respectfully and carefully,
demonstrating that he understood the
importance of showing respect for a leader,
regardless of the king’s character. Impressed
by Ben Buta’s wisdom and humility, Hordus
eventually revealed himself and sought
his advice on how to atone for his past
actions. Ben Buta suggested that he renovate
the Temple, a project that would benefit
the people and bring honor to Hashem.
Hordus followed this advice and undertook

significant improvements to the Temple,
beautifying it in a way that generations later
would remember.
The story of Ben Buta is a powerful example
of the Torah’s teachings on respecting
leaders. Even when a leader acts unjustly,
we’re taught to show respect for the position,
as it ultimately maintains order and respect
within society.
Yosef the king
Another example we learn from when
Yosef came to visit his father Yaakov on
his deathbed, Yaakov showed profound
respect for Yosef, who was then a ruler in
Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Despite
being Yosef’s father, Yaakov acknowledged
Yosef’s royal status by sitting up in bed and
gathering his strength to receive him with
dignity. The Torah (Bereishit 48:2) states,
“And Israel strengthened himself and sat up
on the bed.” Rashi explains that Yaakov made
a special effort out of respect for Yosef’s
position as viceroy of Egypt, understanding
the importance of honoring him not only as a
son but also as a king-like figure.
This act of respect by Yaakov is seen as
setting an example for how even a father
should honor his son when the son holds
a position of authority. It also reflects the
Torah’s broader teaching to show respect
for leaders and those in positions of power,
recognizing their roles as vital to the stability
and welfare of society.
Moshe and Pharaoh
When Moshe spoke to Pharaoh, he displayed
respect for Pharaoh’s position as king, despite
Pharaoh’s cruelty and defiance against
Hashem. Rashi (Shemot 5, 3) explains that
when Moshe delivered Hashem’s commands,
he phrased it by saying that if Pharaoh didn’t
let the people go, ‘they’ would be punished.
Although the implied message was that
Pharaoh himself would face punishment,
Moshe softened and reversed the wording to
show respect for the king’s status.
This display of respect reflected not only
Moshe’s fine character but also the specific
way Hashem instructed him to address
Pharaoh. According to Rashi (6:13), Hashem
directed Moshe to speak to the king with the
utmost respect. This instruction underscores
the importance of honoring authority, even
when conveying messages of warning or
rebuke.
Before inflicting the final plague of the ten
on Egypt, Pharaoh expelled Moshe from
his palace, telling him never to return. In
response, Moshe stated that Pharaoh’s
servants would come to look for him. Rashi

explains (11, 8) that Moshe
intended to convey that Pharaoh
himself would seek him out in
the middle of the night, but he
refrained from directly addressing
Pharaoh in a disrespectful manner,
choosing instead to refer to his
servants.
By engaging Pharaoh in a
manner befitting a ruler, Moshe
exemplified the Torah’s value
of respecting leaders, while still
delivering Hashem’s message with clarity
and firmness. This approach models how
one can stand firm in one’s beliefs and
obligations to truth, while also respecting the
roles and titles of authority.
Eliyahu and King Achav
Another example is when Eliyahu rebukes
King Achav. After delivering his message,
Eliyahu does not simply allow Achav to
leave his presence; instead, he escorts him all
the way to his palace (Melachim 1, 18, 46).
This action illustrates Eliyahu’s respect for
the king, demonstrating that even in the face
of confrontation, honor and dignity should
be upheld.
Learning about the respect shown to Pharaoh,
Hordus and Achav raises an important
question: given their evil ways, why were
they shown such honor? Wouldn’t it have
been more fitting to rebuke them harshly for
their wickedness? The Maharsha (zvachim
102) explains that kings in this world
represent Hashem’s kingdom in heaven;
therefore, disrespecting a king or leader
is akin to disrespecting Hashem Himself.
This respect acknowledges their position
of authority, regardless of their personal
character, emphasizing the broader value of
honoring leadership as a reflection of divine
order.
We can add to this the insight of the Pele
Yoetz on chanufa—flattery—which we are
commanded to avoid for those unworthy
of it. However, he explains that when it
comes to wealthy individuals, we must show
respect, even if they may not be particularly
righteous or deserving. His reasoning is that
since we see that Hashem has shown them a
form of honor by granting them wealth, we
too should respect them, following Hashem’s
example. Again, we see that those whom
Hashem has elevated, whether in wealth or
power, must be respected and certainly not
degraded or mocked.
Examples from the Mishna and Gmara
Moreover, the Abudarham and Kolbo write
that we are also commanded to pray for the
well-being of the king or president, as we

learn in Pirkei Avot (3:2), Rabbi Shimon ben
Gamliel urges, “Pray for the welfare of the
government, for without fear of it, people
would swallow each other alive.” This advice
underscores how crucial a stable government
is for maintaining peace and justice in
society, regardless of the ruler’s background.
By respecting leaders, we acknowledge the
stability they bring, which Chazal saw as
essential for a well-ordered society.
The Talmud (Berachot 58a) also teaches
that one should recite a blessing upon
seeing a non-Jewish king, recognizing that
all authority comes from Hashem. This
blessing, which praises “the One who has
given of His glory to flesh and blood,”
expresses reverence for the leader’s position,
acknowledging that all leaders ultimately
derive their authority from a higher source.
One can only think of the contrast in how
gentiles treat a leader when they disagree with
him. In many cases, leaders can be mobbed,
jailed, or prosecuted, as witnessed during
events like the Arab Spring in the Middle
East. In these uprisings, leaders faced violent
protests and significant backlash from the
public, sometimes leading to their ousting.
For example, in countries like Tunisia and
Egypt, long-standing leaders were forcibly
removed from power due to widespread
dissent.
Another example is the Spanish Prime
Minister, who faced violent protests this
week following a flood that resulted in many
deaths. The public mobbed him and chased
him out of their towns, illustrating the
often intense and aggressive reactions that
leaders can face when their constituents are
dissatisfied with their response to crises.
Together, these teachings show that both
Torah law and Jewish wisdom uphold the
importance of respecting leaders, honoring
their contributions, and refraining from
speaking poorly about them. Through respect
and acknowledgment, we recognize the role
that leaders play in maintaining the order,
safety, and well-being of society.