The two characters that occupy the most “real estate” in the Bible are Moses and David. Both are leaders, both are credited with incredible accomplishments. Moses is the lawgiver, moral guide, and sometimes warrior. David is the warrior, the king, but often exhibits questionable morality. Contrasting the arcs of their respective stories opens the door to some provocative questions about life choices with regard to our own personal weaknesses and/or disabilities, and how we relate to those of others.
Among the first traits we learn about Moses is that his speech is impaired. The exact nature of his physical disability is unknown, but the Midrash (subsequent rabbinic storytelling) suggests he had some kind of a debilitating lisp. When Moses resists God’s call to action because of his impediment, God says that God will guide Moses’ tongue. When this fails to reassure Moses, God suggests that Moses’ brother Aaron will speak for him: “You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth … and he shall speak for you to the people.” As Moses’ story continues, he achieves unheralded success: It is Moses who intercedes with Pharaoh to secure Israelite freedom, and it is Moses who serves as God’s mouthpiece in speaking the words of Torah to Israel. When Moses dies, the Torah says: “Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eyes were undimmed and his vigor unabated.”
Contrast this with David, whom the texts describe as handsome, vibrant, and strong for most of his life. David’s disabilities are not physical as far as we understand. He achieves significant success and acclaim on the battlefield and in matters of state, but his moral and ethical shortcomings stain his legacy, and he receives decidedly mixed reviews as a father and husband. In contrast to Moses, as David approaches his death, this once-handsome and powerful figure is much weakened, nearly incapable of action, and almost loses his dynasty. The Bible says: “King David was old, advanced in years; and though they covered him with bedclothes, he never felt warm.”
The character with an acknowledged physical disability dies with his virility intact, while one who seemingly faces no personal physical obstacles dies weakened. That juxtaposition provides us—during Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month—with an opportunity not only to reflect on the capabilities of those who are disabled, but also to recognize what an “Aaron” can do for that individual.
Aaron eased his brother’s concerns by giving him a voice, enabling him to take on God’s appointed task without trepidation in regards to his own worthiness of it. In so doing, Aaron facilitated his brother’s astounding success. Of course, Moses was capable of the task all along, but it was Aaron’s help that gave him the courage and capacity to overcome his initial self-doubt.
While not physical, David’s blindness with respect to the needs of his family and the requirements of moral leadership left a deep void in his legacy. He often failed to heed the insights of those who advised him. In the stories of Moses and David, we see the juxtaposition of physical disabilities with disabilities of character. Though the challenges of each are quite different, the capacity to see our shortcomings, and then leverage our strengths and marshal our resources, often determines our legacy.
How do we rely on others to compensate for our disabilities and how do we stand up for others when they need us to sustain them? When those same disabilities are readily apparent, the support provided by others can be life changing.
—Rabbi Ron Stern