The Noam Elimelech says that this verse is meant to teach us the benefits of humility and annulling one’s ego. The Gemara (Menachos 43B) says that one is obligated to make 100 blessings every day, and learns this from the verse (Devarim 10:12): “And now Yisroel, what (mah) does Hashem your G-d request of you...” It says that the word “mah” should be read as “meah” (100), which is a hint to the 100 daily brachos.
The 100 daily blessings are representative of the 100 adanim (sockets) that held up the Bais Hamikdosh. Thus, when the Gemara says that the word “mah” should be read as “meah”, it can be understood to mean that if one makes himself like nothing (“mah”), he can accomplish great things with his 100 blessings, as his actions are as powerful as the Bais Hamikdosh itself. This is because a person who is humble and of lowly spirit has the ability to create great influences just like the Bais Hamikdosh.
Similarly, the word “Sarah” is representative of a tzadik who is humble and modest like a woman. Thus, the pasuk can be read as saying that if one is humble like Sarah, he can reach the level of “meah”, i.e., being equal to the 100 adanim of the Bais Hamikdosh.
Humility Sweetens All Judgments:
Rav Uri of Sterlisk zy”a (Imrei Kodesh, Ois 35) states that when one is very humble and despises the trait of haughtiness, he sweetens all judgments that affect him. Even if there seems to be no way to remove a harsh decree, Hashem himself cancels it. Even if thoughts of haughtiness occasionally enter his mind against his will, it is known in Heaven that he really does not want them, as his true desire is to remain humble and lowly. Therefore, Hashem sweetens his judgments.
A True Tzadik Sees No Bad in Others:
The Me’or Einayim (Parshas Chukas) quotes the Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh zy”a as saying that a true tzadik sees no fault in others. If one does see bad in others, it is a sign that he is not a genuine tzadik.
He compares this to someone who is looking at himself in a mirror. If he sees a dirty face, it means that his own face is dirty. If he sees a clean, spotless face, it means that his own face is clean. So too, if one sees bad in others, it is because he is seeing his own faults.
With this in mind, he explains the pasuk (Vayikroh 19:18) of “v’ahavta l’reacha komocha” to mean that just like one would not hate himself if he recognized some flaw in himself, so too one should not have negative feelings towards his friend, even if he sees a flaw in him. Just like one would not focus on his own bad parts and would still love himself, one should feel the same way towards his friend.
He concludes with a hint to this concept from the verse in Tehillim (34:13): “Who is the man who desires life, he loves days to see good.” This can be understood to mean that one who lives the life of a tzadik desires to only see good in his fellow men.
