The week’s haftorah from Samuel is about qualities of leadership. As the prophet Samuel is approving of Saul as a leader, the point is made by Samuel that he should not take anything for personal profit symbolized here by not even taking an ox or a donkey. Hmmm, think about the leadership we have these days and what these so-called leaders have taken for personal profit. Nor should he treat others poorly as shown here by literally beating someone, nor should he take bribes. In the upper left are the people making sacrifices and celebrating Saul’s leadership as Samuel has him walk before him and remind us that all true leadership comes from Hashem. Reference is made to Moses and Arron bringing us out of Egypt and leading us past the opposing tribes and they too were leaders not seeking egoic praise and gain. Samuel says that if we commit to the truths of our faith, recognizing Hashem as creator, that thunder and rain shall descend and wheat harvest will flourish. Let us continually remind ourselves where the gifts of life truly come from and make sure our leaders recognize this as well.