A Thought on Parshas Beha'aloscha

"...anav me'od..." "...very humble..." (12:3) ibn Shu'aib notes how the themes in this week's parsha events seem to reflect the wise saying of our Sages (Avos 4:28) on how jealousy, lust and arrogance can destroy a person. He shows how these characteristics were at play in the episode of the complainers, in the confrontation against the prophets, in the confrontations against Moshe Rabbeinu, and elsewhere. His motif is that when Chazal speak about how these things can "take a person out of the world", this does not always imply death but rather can mean the destruction of a person's mind and spirit. He argues that the antidote to those "qualities" is the development of a humble demeanor. He brings a midrash which is from a source unknown to us: "They asked Eliahu: 'Who is sitting behind the highest heavenly partition?'. Eliahu answered: those who are modest and humble, as it says (Tehillim 37:11), "and the modest shall inherit the world." ibn Shu'aib then cites the Talmud (Chulin 89a) which explains that HaShem admires His nation Israel when they do not aggrandize themselves even when they are graced with His bounty. Avraham downplays himself, declaring that he is but dust and ash. Moshe and Aharon downplay themselves, questioning their value. Dovid insists that he is lowly. In contrast, look at the other nations: Nimrod is given greatness and declares that he will build a city that reaches the heavens. Pharaoh asks, 'who is G-d?". Sancherib claims that even HaShem cannot stop him. Nevuchadnezar broadcasts that he is going to pay G-d a visit. Chiram proclaims that he occupies HaShem's throne. Greatness and grandeur are a challenge: will one maintain perspective and use them to become a better person, or will one exploit them to glorify the self? What does exploitation of HaShem's gifts look like? ibn Shu'aib observes that jealous thoughts are a misuse of the mind. Lustfulness is a misuse of the body. Arrogance is a misuse of the emotions. The antidote is to use one's mind for constructive thought in the pursuit of knowing HaShem; using one's body to develop the health to serve Him; using one's emotions to promote wonder and inspiration in experiencing the perfection of His universe. A modest person knows his capacities, and channels his thoughts, senses and feelings towards the service of the Almighty. That is the self in modest perspective, and the humbling of self to maintain perspective of HaShem Above. Good Shabbos. D Fox