Who's in charge?

A young man, we’ll call him Chaim, moved to a certain city, and established a Yeshiva there which he headed (and again: the actual story is NOT about a Rosh Yeshiva, I am merely altering these details to prevent anyone from being able to guess who it’s really about). Chaim initially ran his Yeshiva single-handedly, both the gashmyus and the ruchnyus, and achieved a large measure of success, as the Yeshiva acquired a sterling reputation. Gradually, as the size of the Yeshiva increased, he found it too difficult to carry the burden alone, and he hired another fellow, Moshe, to help him out. Moshe was to be involved both in administration and in fundraising; but his overall job-description was to provide assistance to R’ Chaim, so that he would be able to better carry out his role in the building of the Yeshiva.

Now, this Moshe is a really talented individual, and extremely dedicated to every aspect of the growth of the Yeshiva. He spares neither time nor effort to get positive results. But his style and approach, in many areas, differ drastically from that of R’ Chaim. Presently, this started becoming a source of constant friction between them. While both had, unquestionably, the best of intentions and only the good of the Yeshiva in mind, their conclusions were usually on a collision course. This led to the fact that Moshe, in his aim to enhance and improve the Yeshiva, began trying to restrict and tone down Chaim in every way. He felt that Chaim’s style in the running of the Yeshiva is harming his fundraising efforts.

It came to the point that Chaim feels that everything that Moshe does diminishes his ability to do his job properly, and Moshe feels that, if something is not done to restrict Chaim and curtail his authority, then he will not be able to properly fulfill his job. They each feel that they have the right to control what the other does.

I personally had a conversation with Moshe (who I know quite well for a number of years), and I said to him: “Your claim just doesn’t make any sense (in my humble opinion)! After all your purpose, your mission, and even your actual job description is to help out Chaim. That, and that alone, is what you are here for. If, in even the smallest way, you’re (not only not helping him, but) interfering with him, why then, regardless of what kind of positive things you may be accomplishing for the Yeshiva, you are no longer doing your own job.

If he is interfering with your job in order to perform his in a better fashion, that may not be nice, or not menchlich etc, and it may not be oisgehalten. But if the opposite takes place, and you’re the one who restricts him, then your whole position loses it’s legitimacy. It’s nonsensical, ridiculous even, for you in your position to suggest pushing him aside to allow for better performance of your job – which is to assist him! It’s a contradiction!

Basically, he can’t be curtailed for the benefit of your job, because as soon as that happens then you, for all intents and purposes, don’t have a job. Not that you should be fired. Your job (which is ultimately to help out Chaim) becomes virtually non-existent!”

Of course, Moshe didn’t listen to me (who ever does?), and at this point it appears as if things are headed towards a din Torah, and who knows how that will end.