The Humility to Act

B’haalot’cha

Num. 8:1 - 12:16

Précis: The parasha begins with a description of the making of the seven-branched menorah, a (the?) central Jewish symbol. Next, the Levites are given specific directions for their duties. The parasha returns to narrative with a recounting of a second Passover celebration (required because some of the Israelites had been ritually impure when the first anniversary of Passover was celebrated). There follows a discussion of the making of silver trumpets. The cloud of God’s Presence lifts, and the march of the People through the wilderness from Sinai begins, led by the Ark of the Covenant. The people begin to murmur, this time about a lack of meat. God provides, but the People are struck with a plague. This time, even Miriam and Aaron seem to have complaints about Moses, cast in terms of their critique about his “Cushite woman.” Moses is stressed by the demands of leadership.

Num.12:3 “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all the men that were upon the face of the earth.”

        

Rabbi Judith Greenburg has provided an interesting examination of Moses' humility (Torah from JTS, 6/ 5/15). Setting the scene, we observe that the Israelites set out on their journey, the mystical experience of Sinai now behind them. And as they move out, they begin to complain, longing to return to Egypt. God gives them meat – so much that they are stricken with a plague. Moses himself complains that he’d rather be dead than continue to lead such an ungrateful and childish nation. Miriam and Aaron cast aspersions on Moses. There is no peace for this people!

            Suddenly, we are reminded that Moses is “very humble.” Humility is certainly important, but it must mean something more than meek deference. The trait of humility (“anavut”) is highly prized, although excessive humility is castigated by the Sages, since one who is excessively humble does not have sufficient faith in himself to act when it is necessary to do so (who am I? what can I possibly do?).

             The special nature of Moses’s humility was that he not afraid to act. The timing of this verse is exquisite: Moses’ humility is celebrated at precisely the point where his remaining silent would have been the easiest way to proceed. When Miriam and Aaron question Moses’s role, God strikes Miriam with a plague. Moses could easily remain silent, but instead prays for her recovery (“Please, God, heal her.”) (Num. 12:13).

            Sometimes, humility requires us to act.

            In the realm of public affairs, we may believe that what each of us are capable of doing is insignificant. I submit that this is precisely the excessive humility which the Sages warn against. We need to be like Moses, and have the kind of humility which allows, yes encourages, us to act.