Some people will not take credit for their accomplishments. Others boast every second they can about the things they have achieved. However, neither are good ways to live life. While in Judaism, we say that we must think of ourselves as a worm and recognize that we are like the dust of the earth, we also must see ourselves as the chosen people. There is this dual balance because we must notice that everything is from Hashem. Without Him, we can do nothing.
In Parshat Vaera, Hashem teaches us that we need this balance. More than once in this week’s parsha, Moshe tells Hashem that Pharoah isn’t going to listen to Him. Moshe asks Hashem, “How will Pharoah listen to me if the Jews didn’t? I have a speech impediment?!” Hashem responds that He then spoke to Moshe and Aaron. Every time Moshe brings up his speech impediment or lowers himself to say he isn’t a good choice, Hashem brings up Aaron. That being said, why is it important to note that Aaron is always mentioned after the fact? It is because it shows that Hashem was unhappy with Moshe. Moshe was supposed to be the navi (prophet) and the Kohen Gadol (high priest), but Hashem took away the kehuna because he was too humble and kept saying he couldn’t do it.
In our lives, we shouldn’t boast our skills—but we also shouldn’t just keep our skills tucked away. We need to recognize the gift and share it with others. We need to use whatever Hashem gave us to help others, but we must recognize that it is from Hashem. Once we recognize it is from Hashem and share it with the joy of Hashem, that is when it becomes positive. Had Moshe accepted and told Hashem that he could do it so long as He (Hashem) stayed with him, then he would have had the position of a navi and the Kohen Gadol. May we find the balance between being humble and properly sharing our gifts. May we all recognize the gifts Hashem gave us and may we share them with the world with the joy of Hashem.
Shira Sedek is a passionate educator currently working toward a master’s degree at Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.
