He eats and drinks from what he takes from us. The huge range of emotion expressed here hints at the love-hate relationship we have toward our leaders, somewhat similar to the ambiguous, even ambivalent feeling we have toward parents. On the one hand we need parental guidance, but at the same time we want to be free. We need leadership, but are resentful towards those who rule over us and help us. A child knows he will one day become a parent himself, but most who are led will never be- come leaders themselves.
Resentment is inevitable.
Every suspi- cion is multiplied, every rumor exaggerated. We use microscopes to look for flaws because whenever we criticize, at least for that moment, we see ourselves as being greater. But the sav- ing grace of this human foible is that a leader should not take anything for granted. Moses himself makes sure that his books are perfectly legitimate. He will not use his position as the greatest of prophets to belittle the importance of single copper hook or utensil.