בִּזְמַן שֶׁהָרוֹעֶה טוֹעֶה הַצֹּאן תּוֹעִין אַחֲרָיו

ביטוי (אנגלית)

When the shepherd strays, the sheep stray after him

הגדרה (אנגלית)

Figuratively: The responsibility lies with the leadership that leads the people. When the leadership errs, the entire people suffer from it (the idea originates in the Bible, such as in Jeremiah 23:2: "Therefore thus says the Lord, God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who feed My people: You have scattered My flock, and driven them away").

("Rabbi Reuven says: Everything follows the head; when is this? When the shepherd strays, the sheep stray after him, as it is said: 'For the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he sinned and caused Israel to sin'" - Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer (Higger), "Chorev" chapter 41)