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Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Pathways in Personality Development
- Humility, Holiness and Fearing Hashem
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Personality Development
- Anava - Humility
A humble person is content with his lot and is thankful for whatever he receives. He does not feel as if he deserves more than what he has. He is happy with what he has. The conceited person, by contrast, who seeks out honor and desires respect, is never satisfied with what he receives. He always feels as if he is lacking something. He is ever envious of others. A humble person, because he is content with his lot, does not envy others. He feels as if he always receives more than what he deserves.
Hasidic legend relates that once, two great Torah scholars went to visit the famous disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezritch, and to witness his greatness for themselves. During their visit, they asked the Maggid to explain the words of the sages, "A person must bless over hardships in the same manner that he blesses over good fortune." How, they asked, can a person recite a blessing over misfortune and be thankful for it in the same way that he blesses over goodness?
The Maggid of Mezritch answered them saying, "Go to the study hall and speak with R' Zussa. He will clarify these words for you."
So they went and inquired in the study hall. "Who here is the acclaimed R' Zussa?" they asked. "We have been sent by the Maggid of Mezritch to speak with him."
"There is no such acclaimed scholar here by that name," they were told. "There is only Reb Zussa who is sitting over there in the corner by the wood stove."
They went over to him and found a simple man garbed in tattered clothing. He appeared to be utterly destitute and they could not believe that this was the person who was supposed to explain the words of the sages to them. However, because there was nobody else by this name in the study hall, they introduced themselves.
"The Maggid of Mezritch sent us to you so that you might explain to us the words of the sages, 'A person must bless over hardships in the same manner that he blesses over good fortune.' How is it possible to bless over hardships at all? What's more, how is it possible to bless over hardships in the same manner one blesses over good fortune?"
Reb Zussa replied, "I do not even know how to answer to your question. I have known only good fortune in my life. The Almighty has always provided me with whatever I lacked. How can a person like myself, who has never known hardships, explain such words? I have always blessed over good fortune. Somebody who lacks food or clothing might be able to help you, but personally I have never lacked a thing."
This is true humility, and it is accompanied by joy and bliss. A proud person, by contrast, who thinks highly of himself and seeks honor, is plagued by unhappiness and envy. He always thinks that he deserves more, and he is never satisfied with what he has.
We see, then, that besides being a correct and virtuous trait, humility is also beneficial. It frees a person of all envy and brings him happiness. This is always the case: The true and upright path is also the most pleasant and rewarding.
Rabbis in Midrash
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
