Humility

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

June 17-18, 2022 / 19 Sivan 5782

Shabbat Beha’alotecha

Torah: Numbers 8:1 - 12:16 / Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7

 

“Humility”

 

Dear Friends,

 

Jews have a reputation of being loud and brash. We are a proud people for sure.  Yet, the Torah tells us that one of the greatest qualities to possess is humility.  This week’s Torah portion describes Moses as “a very humble man, more than any other man on earth.”  Think of it. He grew up in the lap of luxury as a son of Pharaoh. Yet, he gave it all up for his people.  He fled to the desert to be a shepherd and there he encountered the burning bush. Moses tried to turn down God’s call, saying that he was not worthy for the job.  Through it all, Moses became the quintessential role model of our Jewish tradition.

 

Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan taught that “The sum of all teaching is that the essence of all knowledge is the awareness of our ignorance.” A truly wise person is a humble person - one who freely admits that he doesn’t know everything. Wisdom begins with yirat shamayim – being in awe of God.  Starting with humility, we can grow and become a compassionate and understanding members of our community. Continuing with humility, we can become leaders that others will follow.

 

Zye a mentsch – be a good person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow