Let’s talk about humility. It’s one of those traits that’s generally praised in every self-help book and spiritual guide. But what if I told you that being too humble could actually hold you back from connecting with HaShem in a meaningful way? Yeah, I know it sounds a bit wild, but let’s dive into Noach, Comment 137, which offers a deep, mystical perspective on how humility, when misunderstood, can distance you from the divine.
The teaching starts with a simple but powerful idea: If a person is overly humble, they might start to think that their actions, words, and prayers don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. This type of humility leads to a dangerous kind of self-doubt. You begin to wonder, “Does my Torah study or prayer really make a difference? Can my small actions really affect the spiritual realms or nourish angels?” This doubt can be crippling. It can make you feel disconnected, insignificant, and distant from HaShem, which is the exact opposite of what you want.
But here’s the truth bomb: your prayers and Torah study do matter. They matter a lot. The teaching explains that if you truly believed that your words could draw divine blessings into all the worlds and even nourish angels, you’d approach your spiritual practice with a whole new level of seriousness. Imagine knowing that HaShem is literally watching your lips, ready to “kiss” the words of Torah and prayer you utter with love and reverence. How would that change the way you pray? You’d probably be a lot more focused, a lot more intentional, and definitely a lot more careful with every word.
This idea flips the typical understanding of humility on its head. It’s not about thinking you’re worthless or insignificant. Real humility, according to this teaching, is about understanding the immense power and responsibility you hold as a human being. You’re not just some random speck in the universe; you’re a ladder connecting heaven and earth. Your actions, words, and even thoughts have cosmic significance.
Let’s take this a step further with an example from the Talmud. The Sages teach that the humility of Rabbi Zechariah was a key factor in the destruction of the Second Temple (Gittin 56a). His excessive humility led him to inaction at a critical moment, and that inaction had catastrophic consequences. This shows us that humility, when misunderstood, can actually lead to negative outcomes. It’s a sobering reminder that we need to balance humility with a strong sense of responsibility for our actions.
The teaching also brings in a fascinating interpretation of a verse from Psalms (68:14): “When you lie between the sheepfolds.” This is understood to mean that HaShem is constantly watching over our lips, eager to embrace the words we speak in Torah and prayer. If we really internalized this, we’d be filled with awe and reverence every time we spoke. We’d realize that even though we might feel lowly or insignificant, HaShem values every word we say.
This idea is further expanded by referencing the well-known verse from Genesis (28:12) about Jacob’s dream: “A ladder was set on the earth, and its top reached to heaven.” This isn’t just a nice image for a children’s book; it’s a metaphor for our lives. We are that ladder. Our actions here on earth have a direct impact on the spiritual realms. When we do good, we draw closer to HaShem and elevate the world around us. When we stumble, we can create spiritual distance.
So, what’s the takeaway here? It’s time to rethink what humility really means. True humility isn’t about thinking you don’t matter. It’s about recognizing your power and using it wisely. It’s about understanding that your Torah study, your prayers, and your good deeds are incredibly valuable, not just for you but for the entire cosmos.
When you approach your spiritual life with this mindset, everything changes. You’re no longer just going through the motions. You’re fully engaged, fully aware that what you do matters. You become more careful with your words, more intentional with your actions, and more connected to HaShem. And that’s when you start to experience the real joy and fear (in the sense of awe) that comes from serving HaShem.
In the end, this teaching from Noach, Comment 137 reminds us that we all have a significant role to play in the grand scheme of things. Our actions and words have the power to elevate not just ourselves, but the entire world. So, next time you feel like your prayers don’t matter, remember this: You are a ladder to heaven, and HaShem is waiting for you to climb.
This blog is in the zechut of Hadassah Miriam bas Donna. May she have complete emuna, excellent health and success in all her endeavors as well as klal Israel.
In my book Pick Me Up HaShem, you’ll find many prayers that explore how HaShem is constantly drawing us closer to Him, inviting us into a deeper relationship through prayer and reflection. These prayers are designed to help you connect with the divine presence in a way that transcends mere requests and taps into the true purpose of prayer.
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