Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 7/21/2017, 5:25 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos (5;19) says the second trait of the students of Avraham Avinu (as opposed to those of Bilaam Harasha) is having a humble spirit.
The trait of humility is a very important trait which saves people from anger and many other pitfalls as well. Being humble doesn't mean that a person doesn't realize their importance or accomplishments, but it does mean that a person keeps those in perspective.
A person needs to realize that if they are wealthy, smart, good looking or whatever else a person might become haughty about, is all G-d Given. In the blink of an eye the rich can become poor and the poor can be rich. If this is so why should a rich person be haughty and raise themselves above a poor person when the situation can flip in an instant? This understanding should help a person internalize that whatever they have is a gift from G-d, they should be thankful and they have absolutely no reason to be boastful. When it comes to intelligence and accomplishments this is even harder because we have a much stronger feeling that we did X, Y and Z or thought of A, B and C. It is very difficult for people to realize that if we are smart those smarts were given to us by G-D. He wants us to use those for good purposes and realize that we aren't the "owner", the good we have accomplished with your talents we are supposed to accomplish, so why should we be haughty about it?