Putting Humility Aside

In general, humility is a good trait. Put yourself aside, and your purpose at the center. You’ll get more done working quietly in the shadows than forever jumping into the limelight.

But when you come to the defense of truth and justice, then is a time to stand up and make yourself heard loud and clear.

As for your humility—there are moments when even that must be put aside.

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Feminine Bread

Words of the Other

By Tzvi Freeman

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

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13 Comments

Joe January 31, 2016

One of my high school teachers gave us this definition of humility: Knowing your place and taking it. His opinion was that anything else was false humility. I agree. Reply

Anonymous Mesa, AZ January 31, 2016

Putting Humility Aside Thank you for this moral support! Sometimes when insolence comes our ways it is hard to know how to react. I might, sometimes, walk away, or when the situation presents itself unable to bear, then I just run away to avoid downfall, but standing for my rights and truth I would certainly stand. This daily dose is by all means a good advice, especially for women. B"H Reply

Jeffrey B.K. The Milky Way January 31, 2016

Humility. I like Sir Winston Churchill's statement better.
When told that Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain is a humble man, he retorted, "He has a lot to be humble about."
This was months after Chamberlain, of the United Kingdom, had given away Czechoslovakia to Hitler, of Nazi-Germany. Reply

David Lloyd-Jones Toronto, Ontario Canada M5B 2C2 January 31, 2016

Agreed, and well said. 'Course you don't need to become filled with pride when you're standing up. In the Civil Rights Movement people are careful to say Martin Luther King **Junior** out of respect for "Daddy" King, Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., his father, who was never famous, but who labored long and well in the vineyards.

Similarly, Bob Moses, who became a Jew By Choice after a long career as a Catholic Worker -- one of those unsung people celebrated by the Pope in his recent address to Congress -- was humble, and very largely unknown, throughout his long and brave politically active life. Reply

Judith Witten Brockton, USA November 25, 2011

I've Got the world by a string Remember this song? It's very old and although it is not Biblical it stands a chance of coming true though a form of Humility.."When you come to the defeinse of truth and justice, then it is time to stand up and make yourself heard loud and clear" This is what makes yourself-ourselves tick-lots of things can mean something but not like standing up for truth and justice and I say this even though I have tried to do this all my life and I don't look so hot and great and I don't really have the the world by a string-I don't really really know what Humility is but it seems to help with standing up for truth and justice-Thank you for writing this Reply

Anonymous Toronto November 24, 2011

Very Balanced!!! Dear Honourable Rabbi Freeman:

in re: "But when you come to the defense of truth and justice, then is a time to stand up and make yourself heard loud and clear."

That is an extremely appropriate and balanced view of the place humility as personal virtue inhabits.

The defense of Truth and Justice is one of those issues where humility is concealed and raw intelligence, determination, passion, relentless adherence to the pursuit of both issues prevail; with all innate skills and talents one has.

I have read - fear only G-d, and not powerful individuals, in the Tanakh, so this is a necessity when expressing the values of truth, and Justice

Bravo, another fabulous insight into a well balanced personality, like no other.

a devoted follower Reply

Chaim Bensimon Toronto, Canada November 24, 2011

A time to shine and a time to be humble. Brilliant! There is concept I once heard from Rabbi Lazer Kelleman that even Hashem concealed his greatness in the giving of the second set of Luchot. The first ones were given with great pomp and glory and they did not last. The second set were given in a more "quiet" manner and those stood the test of time. Even for the Ribono Shel Olam there are moments He shines His light and there are moments when He conceals His light and is more "tsniusdik" so to speak. Reply

Avi TEANECK, NJ November 24, 2011

Professional Networking? R'Freeman, what are your thoughts on the intersection of this "Daily Dose" and professional networking sites like LinkedIn? Is having an online CV haughty? Should we not be sharing our knowledge and successes with others which may bring about parnassah? Reply

Susie Kahn Parker Northridge, CA November 23, 2011

How Relevant! Once again, the "Daily Dose" has proven to be the perfect "medicine"! It made me think of all the people around the country who are standing up for the rights of the many.

On the other hand, I don't have the "stamina", due to serious arthritis and back problems, otherwise I'd be down there with "Occupy LA". Instead, I give my verbal support whenever I can.

This posting just hit me like a glass of ice water thrown in my face! Why am I not out standing up for what's right, and for the possible survival of the democracy I grew up learning about and loving? What can I do? What does one do when they get so many letters and emails soliciting for causes I so vehemently believe in, yet can't afford to donate even $5.00? If any of you out there who also read and comment on the "Daily Dose" have any ideas, please let me know! I do blog to try and get my "support" out there, and perhaps to nudge even one person to go out and get involved in situations where I am not capable... Reply

Kyle Austin, TX November 23, 2011

Sigh What a coincidence this for me today. It is a paradox, sometimes humility can be enabled, based on, confusion. We don't like confusion and try never to embrace it. So we sort through it and we will get burned. It is tough. Can't be fully sorted though without remembering: there is no tribulation without transgression. Reply

john smith fort lauderdale, fl November 23, 2011

WHY? why would you conceal your humility as G-d is pointing out to you how much of an idiot you really are? this makes no sense. one should be thankful that he shows us our faults and learn from them and pray for knowledge and wisdom to avoid any other humiliation from whatever stupid actions you did. how else can one learn the truth? Reply

Anonymous hades, where else December 14, 2008

Posted By Anonymous There is a need to accept what others believe without being involved in their actions,

huh? so many believe it is their Right to burden others and reap rewards which they call their blessings, many believe it their Right to charge people for help they need or show them the door, those that object are told get a life, manybe more people shoud walk within the pages of the tora before they advocate Tolerance of unjust oppression. Reply

Anonymous December 14, 2008

Putting Modesty Aside Modesty is as much a matter of truth and belief as honesty, integrity, it is not so much a trait as intellectual skills, or physical traits of prowess. Modesty is a profession of belief as much as telling the truth is. Never should you put modesty aside even for a moment.
Now there are different beliefs of what is modest. It is needed to understand cultures. There is a need to accept what others believe without being involved in their actions. Reply

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