One of the virtues most admired and held up as an example among Jews since biblical times. Moses is described as “a very humble man, more so than any other man on earth”, and precisely for that reason, the rabbis said, he was deemed worthy of receiving the Torah. Jeremiah likewise revealed this inner quality when he proved hesitant about undertaking his Divine mission. “The humble,” it is said, “shall inherit the land” the Lord gives them courage; and “wisdom is with the unassuming”. A pithy ethical message is conveyed in the prophet's famous statement that man is required “to do justice, and to love goodness, and to walk modestly with God” according to the rabbis, this verse epitomises the whole Torah and “walking modestly with God” is the highest Jewish ideal. The talmudic sages regarded humility as an essential attribute of the scholar, Hillel declaring that “one who seeks fame will lose his name”.
“The greater the man, the humbler he is” and “one who does not exalt himself will be exalted by others”. “Take your seat a little below the one due to you,” R. Akiva advised, “for it is better to be told ‘Come up!’ than ‘Go down!’”. There are, however, times when humility is out of place: “Disciples of the wise should be proud enough to stand up in defence of the Law”. Meekness provides a key to the afterlife and this virtue is also attributed to God Himself. “Wherever in Scripture you find the power of God mentioned, there too you will find a reference to His humility”. Similarly, “God revealed Himself in a bush, to teach us that the loftiest may be found in the lowliest”.
RABBINIC TEACHINGS ABOUT HUMILITY
Why are the words of the Torah likened to water, wine, and milk?
The answer is: Just as these liquids are kept only in the simplest of vessels, so those holy words are preserved only in the men of humble spirit.
Holiness leads to humility and humility to the fear of sin.
Man's prayers are only effective when he regards himself as dust.
Let a man be ever humble in learning Torah and performing good deeds, humble with his parents, teacher, and wife, with his children, with his household, with his kinfolk near and far, humble even with the heathen in the street, so that he may become lovingly regarded on high and deservedly respected on earth.
Good deeds performed modestly are more enduring than those performed with a fanfare of publicity.
Humility displayed for the sake of approval is the worst form of arrogance.
