Dear Friends,
Can humility be taught or commanded?
In this present day of seeming ubiquitous political and social arrogance and puffery, this may be a good question. In a world crying out for humility and honest self-restraint, can social or religious systems compel or convey the value of human humility? Or is humility simply a personality trait, and exists or doesn’t, given each individual’s comportment?
Although they may be pressing today, these aren’t new questions. Opening the new Book of Leviticus, our Torah portion this week commences with a simple, unassuming, nondescript phrase, “God called to Moses and spoke to him… saying.” (Leviticus 1:1) However, in the Hebrew, the word, “VaYikra,” God called, ends with the micro-script letter, “Alef.” It is smaller than normal letters in the Torah’s
orthography. Why?
Among our commentators, a number of them suggest that the smaller alef comes to urge human beings to make themselves smaller and more humble. If Moses, the Lawgiver, himself, was described as the humblest of all human beings, then we who are surely lesser beings than Moses in every measure, should humble ourselves. Other commentators add that the Torah could not command us to be
humble, as such a commandment would nullify our humility – we would be fulfilling a charge, rather than being properly circumspect.
Isn’t it amazing what learnings or derivations may come from a single letter of Torah?
But more, this diminutive alef stands meekly at the opening moment of Leviticus, which is read or studied in every synagogue across the globe this Shabbat. Just when it could claim personal self- aggrandizement and self-importance, it demonstrates modest presence and proper prudence. Our alef comes to teach that exactly when one may be prone to a moment of arrogance is the very moment
when one should most step back and assume discreet quietude. Self-awareness and perspicacity are necessary prerequisites to humility.
Our world could surely benefit from a dose, or an immersion, of the alef’s message of humbleness. Elected leaders across America are mimicking our new President, as are leading figures in other nations, each grandstanding and overdosing in testosterone, irrespective of their gender. “Look at me!” they are shouting, claiming undue attention and neglecting their elected duties.
But, along comes our little alef, quietly completing Leviticus’ opening word, VaYikra. It cannot command us to be humble, for such would contravene its very spirit. It can only demonstrate its enduring value and message: true human meaning comes in developing honest, easy, self-deprecating humility.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Rather, take your place and your purpose seriously.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Can humility be taught or commanded?
In this present day of seeming ubiquitous political and social arrogance and puffery, this may be a good question. In a world crying out for humility and honest self-restraint, can social or religious systems compel or convey the value of human humility? Or is humility simply a personality trait, and exists or doesn’t, given each individual’s comportment?
Although they may be pressing today, these aren’t new questions. Opening the new Book of Leviticus, our Torah portion this week commences with a simple, unassuming, nondescript phrase, “God called to Moses and spoke to him… saying.” (Leviticus 1:1) However, in the Hebrew, the word, “VaYikra,” God called, ends with the micro-script letter, “Alef.” It is smaller than normal letters in the Torah’s
orthography. Why?
Among our commentators, a number of them suggest that the smaller alef comes to urge human beings to make themselves smaller and more humble. If Moses, the Lawgiver, himself, was described as the humblest of all human beings, then we who are surely lesser beings than Moses in every measure, should humble ourselves. Other commentators add that the Torah could not command us to be
humble, as such a commandment would nullify our humility – we would be fulfilling a charge, rather than being properly circumspect.
Isn’t it amazing what learnings or derivations may come from a single letter of Torah?
But more, this diminutive alef stands meekly at the opening moment of Leviticus, which is read or studied in every synagogue across the globe this Shabbat. Just when it could claim personal self- aggrandizement and self-importance, it demonstrates modest presence and proper prudence. Our alef comes to teach that exactly when one may be prone to a moment of arrogance is the very moment
when one should most step back and assume discreet quietude. Self-awareness and perspicacity are necessary prerequisites to humility.
Our world could surely benefit from a dose, or an immersion, of the alef’s message of humbleness. Elected leaders across America are mimicking our new President, as are leading figures in other nations, each grandstanding and overdosing in testosterone, irrespective of their gender. “Look at me!” they are shouting, claiming undue attention and neglecting their elected duties.
But, along comes our little alef, quietly completing Leviticus’ opening word, VaYikra. It cannot command us to be humble, for such would contravene its very spirit. It can only demonstrate its enduring value and message: true human meaning comes in developing honest, easy, self-deprecating humility.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Rather, take your place and your purpose seriously.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
