06/19/2026
Leadership, Unity, and the Light Within — Korach
There’s no “I” in team—but there is a “me.”😎
What does it mean to be a leader?
This week's Torah portion, Korach, tells the story of Korach's challenge to the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Korach argued that the entire nation was holy and questioned why Moses and Aaron should hold positions of distinction. His claim was rooted in a profound truth: every soul possesses inherent holiness and greatness. Korach’s mistake was in assuming that this holiness means sameness—that true unity requires everyone to be the same.
The Torah portion becomes the pathway through which the spiritual equality of all souls is expressed in a world where each person has a unique role, contribution, and mission. The portion teaches that true unity is not sameness, but the distinct light each individual brings to the whole. In this way, every person is indispensable, as each of us contributes something no one else can offer.
This week also included Gimmel Tammuz, the yahrzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe dedicated his life to helping people discover their unique purpose and contribution to the world. He saw greatness in every individual and taught that true leadership is not about elevating oneself above others, but about empowering others to reveal the light they already possess. Even today, his influence continues to grow, as his teachings and vision continue to inspire new generations to live with purpose, clarity, and responsibility.
The challenge, of course, is that seeing greatness in others often depends on first seeing it within ourselves.
Many of us are familiar with worry, self-doubt, frustration, and disappointment. Perhaps our challenges and limitations are not merely obstacles to overcome, but opportunities designed to reveal the greatness already within us—the resistance itself becoming the fuel for our growth.
True leadership begins when we choose not to define ourselves by our fears or limitations, but by our deeper purpose. Every challenge calls forth a new strength, every obstacle invites deeper growth, and every moment offers an opportunity to reveal more of the light within us.
When we learn to appreciate our own strengths, we become more capable of appreciating the strengths of others. When we stop focusing exclusively on what is lacking, we begin to notice what is already working, growing, and shining.
Perhaps I can affirm:
“I recognize and appreciate what I am already doing well. My efforts and growth matter.”
“I choose to see and speak the good in others. I notice their strengths, their efforts, and their progress, and I express encouragement and appreciation.”
“I pause and ask, ‘What does this moment need from me?’ I allow purpose—not habit or impulse—to guide my thoughts, words, and actions.”
Leadership is not reserved for a select few. Every act of kindness, every moment of courage, every effort to bring more light, clarity, and connection into the world is an act of leadership.
May we merit to see the greatness within ourselves and within one another, and may that vision help us bring greater unity, purpose, and peace into our lives and our world.
A Gutten Erev Shabbos!
Thank you to everyone who has supported us already, both throughout the journey and through our current campaign. Every act of partnership, encouragement, and generosity helps strengthen our community and expand the light we bring into the world!
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Also check out article “deeper than the game” https://docs.google.com/document/d/10025x96rJ6_4uEhWtER_F-5mEKXwcQU67RFhBV9PbFo/edit?usp=drivesdk
Bh It's Deeper than the Game... While it’s tempting to say merely that there are lessons we can learn from the Knicks, the Baal Shem Tov teaches that everything we encounter is Divine Providence. The Lubavitcher Rebbe explained that whatever we see and hear in the world is an indication of a dee.....
