The Maggid compares this to a traveler on a poorly-marked road.
Imagine a regular guy—a regular, middle-class wanderer—taking a wrong turn. He wanders off the path, goes a bit too far, maybe gets his shoes muddy. But, no big deal. All he’s lost is some time and a little dignity. He’ll find his way back, and life goes on.
Now, picture a wealthy merchant—who never travels alone, of course. Behind him stretches a caravan of wagons laden with merchandise. If he takes the same wrong turn, the consequences are far greater. His mistake doesn’t just cost him time—it causes chaos for everyone. All those wagons, packed with goods, carve deeper ruts in the incorrect path, marking the wrong road as if it were the right one. Soon, everyone else following the same route is veering off, wandering through fields and wondering where they went wrong.
The High Priest is like that wealthy merchant. When he errs, it’s not just his issue—it’s everyone’s. Why? Because he sets the example. He’s the one people look to. He’s the one they follow. He’s the road that everyone else travels on, intentionally or not. His mistake doesn’t just affect him—it affects the entire community. So when the High Priest stumbles, the entire people are guilty, and a special offering is required for atonement.
Because in leadership, even the smallest detour can cause a ripple effect far beyond the one person who took a wrong turn.
(Adapted from Mishlei Yaakov, pp. 200-201.)
