And the same with Har Sinai which starts with: וְּאַתֶם תִּהְּיוּ לִּי מַמְּלֶכֶת כֹה נִּים יט ו you are all a nation of: שָּרִּ ים princes (Rashi) and: עַם סְּגוֹלָּה a special treasure. (Rashi). And even by Hashem, the Az Yashir starts with: אָּשִּירָּה לַ ה' כִּי גָּאֹה גָּאָּה טו א I will sing to Hashem who has become exceedingly great. First we say that Hashem is the greatest of the great, and only afterwards do we get involved in details. This is the way every Yid should begin his day; with a proud Shtempel.
“I’m a Tzaddik, a Gaon, a Zariz”, etc. Now your day will be Gevaldig. R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal used to say that the way you start your day is a big Ikar. And R' Gershon Liebman Zatzal said the same idea. Shmuel HaNavi was talking to Klal Yisroel, and he mentioned how Hashem gave them Shmuel, Yiftach, Gidon, and Shimshon. Shmuel was a major Talmid Chochom, and Gidon and Shimshon were less (Shimshon is questionable). Yiftach was a: קַ ל שֶ בְּ קַ לִּ ים lowest of the low (of course he was much better than all of us).
“I Love Being Good Old Mr. Zero!”
When I first learned this, I decided that being like Shmuel is the ideal. However, sometimes a person should change his Shtempel, and instead of deciding I’m a big Tzaddik or Talmid Chochom, it is sometimes much more relaxing to decide:
“I’m not such a great guy! I’m a simple nobody! So I’m not the greatest father, son, Rosh Yeshiva, Chavrusa, Rebbe, businessman, G’vir, or Tzaddik. I’m Le'chatchila a Bedi'eved!”
Sometimes you breath much easier by talking like this. You take the pressure off, and you may even end up going further! “So I’m not Mr. Nice Guy; so what!” (Of course you need a Rebbe).
“So what if I’m a messy housewife, and not the big: מְּ צוּיָּ ן sensation that everyone raves about! Who cares!” “I love being good old Mr. Zero!” This can Mamash be a lifesaver for many people. You can stick with your “zero” Shtempel, or change from day to day; depending on your nature and your Matzav. “I don’t have to impress the whole world!” “I love being second best, or Mr. Black sheep in the family, or Mr. Bat’lan (loafer)” (Of course you need a Rebbe).
You’d be shocked if you knew how many very Chashuva and successful people can use the above recipe for their sanity. Say: “You can be the big Gaon and Tzaddik and: מְּ צוּ יָּן prodigy and good housewife and resounding success in Ruchaniyus and/or Gashmiyus. “I” like me EXACTLY the way Hashem made me, and I put blinders on my eyes and mind my own business.”
There are two equal Lavin (prohibitions): בַ ל תוֹסִּיף do not add to the Mitzvos, and: בַ ל תִּגְּרַע do not subtract from them. Adding to a Mitzva is just as bad as detracting. The same with people. Being a drop “more” or “better” than the way Hashem made me can be a disaster! אֵּיזֶהוּ עָּשִּיר הַשָּמֵּחַ בְּחֶלְּקוֹ Who is truly rich? One who is content with what he has. Of course, there is a time and place to decide you’re going to Shteig. But not always!
They say in the name of R’ Shlomo Wolbe Zatzal that a person needs to be wary of self-criticism and trying all kinds of Teshuva. The best Avodas Hashem is appreciating yourself!
