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THE WEEKLY SIDRA- B’SHALACH
Rabbi Moshe Greebel
No matter which way it is sliced, there seems nothing more beneficial for anyone, than embedding within himself the attribute of humility, or modesty. Being of physical matter, it is an inescapable fact, that within each of us is an ego, which on occasion, causes us to indelicately stand up for what we think to be our rights. When the ego is involved, such reckless thinking of course, is the basis of all human misunderstanding, one man to another.
While it is best to be a moderate in character, not leaning to extremes, only with humility, must one be extreme. In praise of Moshe Rabbeinu, the Torah generously lauds him with this attribute of humility:
“And the man Moshe was very humble, more than any other men which were upon the face of the earth.” (Bamidbar 12:3)
But, are we really aware of the level of Moshe Rabbeinu’s humility? Regard the following. In this week’s Sidra, we read of the murmuring of the B’nai Yisroel against Moshe and Aharon:
“And the whole congregation of the B’nai Yisroel murmured against Moshe and Aaron in the wilderness. And the B’nai Yisroel said to them, ‘Better for us to have died at the hand of HaShem in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for you have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger!’” (Sh’mos 16:2-3)
After prophesying to the people that they would have Slav (quail) to eat the next day, Moshe stated the following:
“And in the morning, then you shall see the glory of HaShem; when He hears your murmurings against HaShem; and we are nothing, that you murmur against us?” (ibid. 16:7)
This clause of ‘We are nothing’ used by Moshe, displays to us the man’s humility, as can be seen in the Gemarah Chulin 89a:
“Rava, others say Rabbi Yonosan said, ‘More significant is that which is said of Moshe and Aharon, than that which is said of Avraham. Of Avraham it is said, “I am but dust and ashes.” (B’raishis 18:27) Whereas of Moshe and Aharon, it is said, “And we are nothing.”’”
Now, while we may think that we truly comprehend the comparison of this Gemarah, between Avraham and Moshe, it might prove advantageous, to have a second and closer look at it, while considering the words of the celebrated Rosh Yeshiva (Chachmei Lublin), Rav Meir Shapiro (1887-1934) of blessed memory, who narrated the following episode.
On one Yom Kippur in the Krakow synagogue, in the presence of Rav Yonosan Eybeschutz (1690-1764) of blessed memory, there was one particular Jew who fervently prayed with a completely broken heart, seeming to have great contrition for past actions. Especially laudable were his cries during the recitation of the Yom Kippur confessional liturgy which states:
“I am mere dust in my life! How much more so at my death?”
Everyone present, including Rav Yonosan, witnessed the passion and fervor of this Jew at his prayers, and were very duly impressed. That is, until the time for the reading of the Torah after Shacharis (morning service), when a very audible argument, on Yom Kippur of all days, suddenly broke out between the fervently praying Jew, who was yelling “Do you know who I am, and who you are?” and a Gabbai (synagogue officer), regarding the order of Aliyos (honors of being called to the Torah). To the detriment of the entire synagogue, the longer the two argued, the more personal and mean spirited their dispute became.
Not having a choice anymore, Rav Yonosan approached the passionately praying Jew, and asked him, “Did you not moments ago, fervently recite that you were mere dust?”
“I most certainly did,” responded the Jew to Rav Yonosan, “and, what I meant was, compared with HaShem Yisborach, I am mere dust! But, compared to that Gabbai, I am…..”
And that, explained Rav Meir, is the precise difference in the above Gemarah of Chulin between Avraham and Moshe. When Avraham said, “I am but dust and ashes,” he compared himself with HaShem. However, when Moshe stated, “And we are nothing,” he meant even compared to those who were murmuring against Aharon and him. In truth, Moshe had the ability to think of himself as nothing, as a completely inconsequential entity.
While we may not yet have attained the level of modesty of a Moshe Rabbeinu, it is still incumbent upon us to develop that most beautiful of all human characteristics to the highest levels we can. Very few appreciate a braggart, or one who ‘sings his own praises,’ so to speak. It is as the Mishna in Pirkei Avos 1-15 states:
“Shammai used to say, ‘Make the (study of) Torah a matter of established regularity. Speak little, but, do much. And, receive all men with a pleasant countenance.’”
Positively accomplishing a great deal, without the need to boast and take credit for it, is the mark of a true scholar, who requires no acknowledgment whatsoever for his accomplishments. For, humility leads to a blameless and more pure form of existence, in every endeavor of life.
May we soon see the G’ulah Sh’laimah in its complete resplendency- speedily, and in our times. Good Shabbos.
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