May we be the head and not the tail

May we be the head and not the tail (ShNihiye LeRosh VeLo LeZanav, "שנהיה לראש ולא לזנב") is a traditional request associated with eating a sheep's or fish head as part of the Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) symbolic foods.

[2] It is prominently featured in the Maharil's book, which states: Rabbi Jacob Moelin (Maharil) taught that it is a mitzvah to eat the head of a male ram on the night of Rosh Hashanah in remembrance of the Binding of Isaac, and so that we may be the head and not the tail.

While this lacks the symbolic connection to the Binding of Isaac, it still carries the request to be "the head and not the tail".

It's worth noting that according to the Ben Ish Chai, one should not use a goat's head as a symbol on Rosh Hashanah.

Therefore, the request is to be led by those truly worthy of being "heads" of the community, rather than falling under the influence of unworthy leaders who, despite their positions, are more suited to be followers.