Oprah, we still have to stay humble!
Ethan Bortnick in Concert
Ethan Bortnick, an accomplished pianist, singer, and songwriter, was recognized as a child prodigy from the age of three and went on to entertain international audiences throughout his childhood. He is listed in the Guinness World Records as "The World's Youngest Solo Musician to Headline His Own Concert Tour."
In 2007, at the conclusion of an interview on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Oprah asked the 9-year-old Ethan, “What is your message for our audience?” Recalling the lessons he had learned from his Chabad Rabbi, I. Silverman of The Shul Club of Harbor Islands, Ethan looked her in the eyes and exclaimed, “Oprah, we still have to stay humble!”
Oprah appreciated his message so much that she included it in her end-of-year highlights.
With success, wealth, and fame also come the challenges of refraining from arrogance, pompousness, and over-indulgence in materialism. How does one harness and enjoy the blessings of affluence while remaining humble, grounded, and connected to one’s core values?
In this week’s Parsha, Bahalotecha, there is a verse that sums up a great virtue of Moses' character: “Now this man Moses was exceedingly humble, more so than any person on the face of the earth.” - Numbers 12:3
How was it possible for Moses, who, among his many accomplishments, led the Jews out of Egypt, split the sea, and transmitted the Torah from G-d to the Jewish people, to be considered the most humble person on earth?
Our Sages explain that Moses was not oblivious to his enormous accomplishments but rather recognized that his talents and successes were gifts from G-d and that he had the responsibility to utilize them to the best of his abilities. Furthermore, he felt humbled before every individual, believing that if someone else had been given his capabilities, they would perhaps accomplish much more than he had.
We find a prime example of this expressed in the Parsha. Two Jewish leaders, Eldad and Medad, were prophesying in the camp that Moses would eventually pass away and his student Joshua would lead the Jews into Israel. Upon hearing this, Gershom, the son of Moses, ran and told Moses. Joshua then exclaimed, “Moses, my master, imprison them!”
Moses said to him, "Are you zealous for my sake? If only all the L‑rd's people were prophets, that the L‑rd would bestow His spirit upon them!" Instead of considering the episode to be a challenge to his leadership, he was happy for the accomplishments of others.
Often, humility may be confused with low self-esteem while arrogance may appear to come as a result of being over-confident. In truth however they are quite the opposites. True humility is not dependent on external factors or social status; rather, it comes from a deep sense of confidence in our G-d-given abilities. However, confidence based solely on a belief in one’s own achievements will remain shallow. For when a person’s status changes, their self-esteem will ultimately be affected as well.
Humility does not mean thinking less of ourselves; rather, it means thinking of ourselves less.
Regarding the dangers of where arrogance and the desire for honor can lead, the Ethics of our Fathers 3:21 states, “Rabbi Elazar Ha-kappar said: envy, lust and [the desire for] honor drive a person out of the world.”
On the other hand, humility enables a person to succeed while maintaining positive interpersonal relationships and a healthy work-life balance.
Maimonides, in his laws of Human Dispositions, explains that while it is generally important for a person to lead a balanced life and maintain a middle path in regards to one’s character traits, concerning arrogance, one must go to the opposite extreme and be exceedingly humble.
At the same time, we must not allow a false sense of humility to limit our good endeavors in the fear of appearing arrogant. In fact, the Rashba, Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Aderet (1235-1310 Barcelona, Spain) ruled that it is a mitzvah to publicize those who perform good deeds, for then others will learn from their example.
This is especially true regarding the mitzvah of giving Tzedakah. While Maimonides lists anonymous giving as one of the ideal ways to give charity, that is to avoid embarrassing an individual needy recipient. But in the case of giving to a communal organization or a worthwhile cause, it is important to publicize our giving so that others will be inspired to follow suit.
Humility also hastens the coming of redemption, which will usher in a time of peace and prosperity for all of humanity. As Maimonides describes, “At that time there will be no famines and no wars, no envy and no competition. For the good will be very pervasive. All the delicacies will be as readily available as dust...” May we merit that time very soon!
