Regarding modesty, the Midrash tells us in this week’s Parsha (BaMidbar Rabbah 1:3) that, “before the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was erected, Hashem spoke to Moshe through a bush. After that, Hashem spoke to Moshe in Midian. After that, He spoke to him in Mitzraim. After that, He spoke to Moshe in Midbar Sinai. However, once the Mishkan was erected, Hashem began to speak to Moshe from the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting) only, as the verse states (Micha 6:8), "He has told you, O man, what is good, and what does Hashem demand of you; but to do justice, to love loving-kindness, and to walk in a modest manner with Hashem."
This is hard to understand – it appears that the Midrash is saying that Hashem spoke to Moshe only from the Ohel Moed (a private place) for modesty reasons, and that this, “modest manner with Hashem” is associated with the other special, elevated activities mentioned in the verse. However, isn’t modesty generally associated with behaviors that are unseemly or embarrassing and that is why they are covered up or done in private? Further, we see in another Midrash (BaMidbar Rabbah 12:4) that Hashem states, “It is not a praise of My sons for Me to speak to them publicly..." This is another example of Hashem saying that speaking publicly to them (without modesty) is not praiseworthy.
Both of these Midrashim lead us to a new definition of modesty. We are modest, not because we seek to cover up something unseemly, but just the opposite, we seek to do something in private because it is precious and holy. We now understand the above Midrashes. Hashem speaking to Moshe or Bnei Yisrael is precious and holy and therefore it should only be done in private. There is a Midrash Tanchuma (HaYoshon Parshas Bechukosai #4) that further supports this sentiment. The Midrash states that before the giving of the Torah, Hashem spoke publicly. However, after the giving of the Torah, we (Bnei Yisrael) grew and matured and now our learning of Torah is compared to a precious pearl which is sold only in the innermost hidden room and not in a public flea market.
Much of the modesty that is prescribed for us during our daily lives, is derived from the fact that we are guarding something very precious. And that is our Neshama (soul) which contains a “Chailek Elokah MiMa’al” - a portion of Hashem from above. With our new understanding and appreciation of modesty, we will be able to develop it further, and in combination with courage and compassion as mentioned above, we will be well on our way to living lives of Everyday Emes.
