17 Sivan 5781 | Erev Shabbat B'ha'alothcha
Moshe – The Most Humble Man
The
Torah states in Parshat Behaaloscha “The man Moshe was exceedingly
humble, more than any other person on the face of the earth.” (Bamidbar
12:3)
Rashi
defines the word ענו as humble, patient, and tolerant. His sister
Miriam and his brother Aaron criticized him for separating from his wife
and felt that what he did was improper by divorcing Tzipora. But since
Miriam was the one who spoke lashon hara about Moshe to her brother
Aaron, she was afflicted with Tzaras.
What
was Moshe’s reaction to this criticism from his siblings? The answer is
silence! Because the true mark of humility is the ability to accept
criticism and be a tolerant person, even to those who mistreat and
verbally abuse him.
Although
Moshe was the greatest navi of Klal Yisrael, and was aware of his
uniqueness, he was nonetheless the most humble person who ever lived.
Because he realized that his achievements and abilities and level of
prophecy were given to him by G‑d, thus he had no right to feel arrogant
for doing what he was capable of.
The
Rambam in Hilchos Tshuva states that it is the trait of a Baal Tshuva
to be humble and tolerant. If he wants to rectify his sins against G‑d
and man, he should contemplate his many short comings and character
flaws. The Chofetz Chaim says that an arrogant person is seriously
deficient in intelligence. Had he made an accounting of his failures and
shortcomings, he would come to the conclusion that there was nothing to
be haughty and arrogant about. The verse in Tehillim 93 says “Hashem
has reigned. He has clothed Himself in grandeur.” When a human being
acts in such a manner he is in effect donning the kingly garb of his
Creator.
Our
father Abraham said about himself “I am but dust and ashes.” (Bereshis
18:27) The greatest teacher and prophet Moshe described himself “For
what are we?” King David said about himself in Tehillim 22, “But I am a
worm and not a man.” Mashiach is described by the Prophet Zechariah in
chapter 9 as a humble person riding on a donkey. If so, how can we act
in a conceited and prideful manner?
At
Matan Torah, Klal Yisrael experienced the grandeur of Hashem and their
own insignificance. As we read this parsha shortly after Shavuot, it is a
time to contemplate the vital importance of this trait of humility and
tolerance.
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