tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20173285.post6326083176896355684..comments2024-03-28T21:21:02.777-04:00Comments on Divrei Chaim: Brisker Rav on the meaning of humilityChaim B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02231811394447584320noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20173285.post-55702996126876124972016-06-17T10:18:33.956-04:002016-06-17T10:18:33.956-04:00The Gemara in Brachos says that “kol hakoveia mako...The Gemara in Brachos says that “kol hakoveia makom latefila nekra anav vlo od ela elokai avraham bezri.” Why anav? why avraham more than other avos?<br /><br />Anivus is not about low self esteem rather its about making space for others to function. So when one makes space for others by constricting their space- they are allowing for others to flourish. <br /><br />Avraham who was so far advanced from anyone else at that time still served people who in theory were "lower than him," and moreover he tried to help those who were diametrically opposed and different from him(sodomites and their hatred of chesed). -- Based on Alan Morinis.<br />SRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05902212066706816938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20173285.post-34694750323713126682016-06-17T10:18:08.895-04:002016-06-17T10:18:08.895-04:00The Gemara in Brachos says that “kol hakoveia mako...The Gemara in Brachos says that “kol hakoveia makom latefila nekra anav vlo od ela elokai avraham bezri.” Why anav? why avraham more than other avos?<br /><br />Anivus is not about low self esteem rather its about making space for others to function. So when one makes space for others by constricting their space- they are allowing for others to flourish. <br /><br />Avraham who was so far advanced from anyone else at that time still served people who in theory were "lower than him," and moreover he tried to help those who were diametrically opposed and different from him(sodomites and their hatred of chesed). -- Based on Alan Morinis.<br />SRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05902212066706816938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20173285.post-8608030192715079722012-06-25T01:21:07.615-04:002012-06-25T01:21:07.615-04:00http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=15826&...http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=15826&st=&pgnum=39&hilite=shoynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20173285.post-90409013637435149602012-06-10T13:59:42.885-04:002012-06-10T13:59:42.885-04:00yes, precisely. That is why I suggested this clar...yes, precisely. That is why I suggested this clarification of what the Brisker Rav said. I don't think he meant that a truly humble person takes no personal credit (internally) for any of their own spiritual accomplishments -- that would seem to overlook the essential role of bechira.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14371365602074869132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20173285.post-61093642872975840272012-06-10T10:50:04.985-04:002012-06-10T10:50:04.985-04:00>>>If only a gift from heaven, then is th...>>>If only a gift from heaven, then is the humble person undeserving of reward,<br /><br />hakol b'ydei shamayim chutz m'yiras shamayim...<br />Even if talent is a gift, it still takes bechira to utilize the gift in the proper way.chaim b.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20173285.post-83651526206198313462012-06-08T16:48:24.107-04:002012-06-08T16:48:24.107-04:00{says Rav Yosef (Sota 49), delete "humility&q...{says Rav Yosef (Sota 49), delete "humility"; says Rav Nachman, delete<br />"fear of sin"... <br />so what's left? what DID cease with the death of Rebbi?<br />the definitive redaction of the Mishnah!<br />the 2 Rabbis weren't only protesting inaccuracy; they were minimizing*<br />post-Prince appendage, symbolically undoing a late-added line...<br /><br />* ? would such minimization have been desirable? was sealing the<br />Mishnah a goal to be sought? was the honor of the Rebbi at stake<br />(& even if it were, would that justify an artificial, premature containment?)?}Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20173285.post-74301949394801971402012-06-08T13:33:56.545-04:002012-06-08T13:33:56.545-04:00> Humility does not mean living in blind ignora...> Humility does not mean living in blind ignorance of one's abilities or accomplishments; rather, it means recognizing that one's abilities and accomplishments are a gift from Heaven. Humility means divorcing one's accomplishments from one's ego.<br /><br />May I suggest a clarification. This seems true of things like wisdom, talent, wealth, charisma, power, etc., and perhaps even some character leanings, which are truly gifts. But achieving true humility -- is that (merely) a gift from above? Isn't humility more accurately described as an accomplishment of the humble person, a battle that they won through bechira chofshit? If only a gift from heaven, then is the humble person undeserving of reward, and the ba'al ga'ava blameless?<br /><br />Perhaps the Brisker Rav meant that a truly humble person recognizes the huge extent to which most of their "accomplishments" are really gifts from Above and no thanks to themselves, and the only thing a Rav Yosef would ever feel he deserves credit for would be a wholly hard-earned personal accomplishment such as anivut, which is appropriate. As to why Rav Yosef voiced this out loud, despite the verse in mishlei (and polite manners!), that is answered by the Maharsha.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14371365602074869132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20173285.post-59945850814803328942012-06-08T09:22:11.234-04:002012-06-08T09:22:11.234-04:00Reminds me of the old joke: The Rav was studying f...Reminds me of the old joke: The Rav was studying for hours and finally fell asleep at his shtender. One by one his students crept in to stare at him. <br />"Such a holy man" whispered one.<br />"A true masmid" said another.<br />"And so generous with tzedekah"<br />"And kind to the unfortunate"<br />Then the Rav lifted up his head and asked "And of my humility you say nothing?"Mighty Garnel Ironhearthttp://garnelironheart.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com