“And the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any person on the face of the earth.” How could Moshe Rabbeinu really be so humble? Didn’t he know that he was the greatest amongst Klal Yisroel, that he was the one chosen to go up to shomayim for 40 days, and be the conduit for Klal Yisroel to receive the Torah Hakdoshah? Was he really so humble? Did he not know his obvious greatness?
Why does the posuk say, “והאיש” – and the man, when it could be left out and just say that Moshe was a great anav? Regarding a king of flesh and blood, it is said that those who are further away from him have more fear of him than those who are close to the king. This is not so of the King of all Kings, the Melech Malchei Hamlachim Hakodosh Boruch Hu, for those who are closer to Him have more fear of Him than those further away. The lashon of האיש referring to that great man, is telling us that Moshe Rabbeinu was exceedingly close to Hakodosh Boruch Hu. He was closer to Hakodosh Boruch Hu than any other man, and he was therefore exceedingly humble.
The closer one gets to Hakodosh Boruch Hu, the more recognition he has of Hakodosh Boruch Hu, and this causes him to be even more humble. Since Moshe Rabbeinu was the closest of all people to Hakodosh Boruch Hu, he was also the humblest of all. (ברכת הרי"ח)
The Humblest of them All
Moshe Rabbeinu knew that he was a great individual. He knew that he was the one zoche to go to shomayim and to receive the Torah Hakdoshah. He knew that he was the messenger to bring Klal Yisroel out of Mitzrayim. Moshe Rabbeinu certainly knew of his greatness. However, there was a key point that Moshe Rabbeinu knew clearly, and that was what made him a truly great man, a true Anav. To Moshe, it was all a gift from Hakodosh Boruch Hu. Hakodosh Boruch Hu could have given those gifts to someone else, but He gave them to Moshe. There is nothing to be arrogant about when one has wisdom, wealth, or anything else for that matter, for one must know that it is all from Hashem, by the good grace of Hashem, and if Hashem so desires, it can be taken away at any moment. Thus, there is really nothing for anyone to ever be arrogant about.
Moshe Rabbeinu was always cognizant of this. He saw it as a great responsibility of being chosen, that he needed to live up to the position as best as he could, and at the same time, always be cognizant that every step of the way was all with Hashem’s help. If Hashem were to step away, so to say, even for a moment, Moshe would have fallen. Moshe Rabbeinu knew who he was and was exceedingly humble, knowing ever so clearly at every moment, that it was all from Hashem. May we be zoche to be truly humble, and realize that everything we are and have is all from Hashem.
