HUMILITY & MODESTY:

“With the humble is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2)

One can increase their wisdom through recognizing their lack of knowledge. The more one learns Torah, the more they realize their lack of knowledge. Secular wisdom on the other hand generally leads to arrogance. Torah learned properly will only lead one on the path of humility.

“The reward of humility and the fear of the Hashem are riches, and honor, and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)

If a person is humble then honor and riches will run after them in a rewarding way. Should you not be lowly in your own eyes, then honor and riches will be destructive. Life is only rewarding when one fears Hashem.

“When they are lowered, You shall say: “Let them be raised!” (Job 22:29)

The only way to climb from one madrega, spiritual level to the next is to realize your own lowliness at your current stance. When we think of ourselves of being worthy of receiving more then we have, usually we receive nothing. Only when we realize we don’t even deserve what we do have, we become lowered and thereby are raised up.

“I dwell… with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” (Yishayah 57:15)

Only through humility can we reunite our neshamos with our creator. Before we entered this world we were humble, dwelling in the glory of Hashem’s majesty. When we entered this world, our natural thoughts turned towards gratifying the pleasures of the body. Through breaking our natural inclinations, pushing away the perspective of self-importance, we can return to our former state. A pure dwelling place for Hashem’s glory to reside.

“The abomination of Hashem is all who are proud of heart.” (Proverbs 16:5)

There is no bigger chillel Hashem then walking around with a proud heart. Hashem wants servants performing his commandments, not people looking to create a world centered on them.

Dovid Hamelech said, “And I will speak of Thy testimonies (of Torah) before Kings and I shall not be ashamed.” (Psalms 119:46)

Why is it that we are ashamed of spreading the Torah of Hashem? It is always so important in our eyes to feel accepted by others. We try to meet their standards in order to avoid feeling ashamed before them. This all stems from self-pride. A humble man is ashamed when he does not act like the man he is supposed to be.

“The lowly of spirit will achieve honor.” (Proverbs 29:23)

When a person believes they deserve honor and great things they end up with nothing. Only when a person is happy and accepts his lot, does he then receive honor.

“For though the Hashem be high, yet He regards the lowly.” (Psalms 138:6)

We must follow Hashem’s example. Let us not ignore those who are aren’t as smart, are not as religious and those who are too poor to help themselves.

“And He gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34)

One of the greatest qualities is that of grace. When someone has grace, they are at peace within themselves. This comes from a person recognizes that everything that happens in the world is Hashem’s artistry. We are nothing more then a graceful stroke of His brush. If we accept this then we are free and blessing can flow through us.

“He guides the humble in justice and He teaches the humble His path.” (Psalms 25:9)

When a person is humble, Hashem Himself teaches him secrets of the Torah.

“And I am a worm and not a man, shamed of man and despised of people.” (Psalms 22:7)

Why does Dovid Hamelech (King David) compare himself to a worm? A worm is a simple creature living in the earth, much of the time hidden under ground from the sight of all. The humble man keeps his deeds as hidden as possible desiring to run away from honor. He does this even if it means burying himself in the dirt at times.

“He who is haughty of eye and proud of heart, with him I cannot abide.” (Psalms 101:5)

People who are proud many times get what they seek but they later find that it is not as great as what they expected. This is because Hashem is not with them.

“To the humble He gives favor.” (Proverbs 3:34)

Hashem is with the humble person during every step they take.

“And walk modestly with your Hashem.” (Michah 6:8)

When we are modest about ourselves and the actions we take then Hashem walks with us. If we are immodest, thinking we have done great things then we are not walking with Hashem. Were we not created after-all to simple do his will?

“High and holy do I dwell, and with the oppressed and the humble of spirit.” (Yeshayahu 57:15)

This world has many allusions. We think that the oppressed are the low ones but in reality, they are the ones lifted up in the Heavens.

“For though Hashem is exalted, He still regards the lowly; but the haughty, from afar He admonishes.” (Psalms 138:6)

Hashem keeps far from the haughty. He gives them what they want so they will leave Him alone and not try to draw near Him. If they are occupied by satisfying their physical desires then they are as if they don’t exist. They feel they themselves are full of life when in reality, they are like the dead.

“And the humble shall inherit the land, and they shall delight in an abundance of peace.” (Psalms 37:11)

To be able to live in Israel, one needs to have humility. Living there, they are constantly tested to see if they are humble enough to continue to dwell in the holy fortress. We shall all be redeemed when we realize how unworthy we are of such a gift as Eretz Yisrael. Even as she stands today desolate of her once incredible beauty, there is much there. Only if we are humble can we recognize that her beauty has never diminished. It is just in a concealed state.

“And the man, Moses was very humble.” (Leviticus 12:3)

A person who is humble doesn’t feel he has to impress others. Moshe reached a level where he asked Hashem to blot him out of the Torah and in exchange to forgive the Jewish nation. He didn’t feel a need to impress others but rather to make others seem impressive. Many times we help others out of our own self pride. It makes us feel good to lift someone else up while at the same time realizing our own self-greatness over them. We walk around mistaken of our own selflessness.