אשר נשיא יחטא

It is always interesting to find a connection between the Parsha and current events. Although ויקרא dealt primarily with the sacrifices, there is one very striking Pasuk worth mentioning.

Numerous types of sins are mentioned with the appropriate method of atonement. There are times when a חטאת, a sin offering is in order. Other times, the אשם, guilt offering is offered. The Parsha also speaks of inadvertent sinners such as the Kohein or even the entire community.

In other instances it speaks of, “if” one will sin. But when speaking of the נשיא, the head of a tribe, who was a political figure, the Torah says, אשר נשיא יחטא, “when” the נשיא shall sin.

When it comes to the man in a position of power, his eventual sin is viewed as inevitable. The first letter of the words, אשר נשיא יחטא, spell, “אני”, describing selfishness. Somehow people in high positions feel that they have everything coming to them. Whether it is taking money not due to them, or getting involved inappropriately with forbidden women, they have their own set of rules.

It is certainly a timely message as we are about to vote in another election. A great influence as to who we vote for has to do with the one who is most honest and least corruptible.