Jewish Life #64. Vajikra #2: Humility

The first word of this week's parashah, Vajikra – ‘And He called’ – contains a scribal abnormality that is rarely found in the Hebrew Bible. The last letter of the word, an aleph, is written smaller than its normal size. Why is this done? What lesson is God trying to teach us?
 
Since the aleph is small, at first glance you might read the word without the aleph and pronounce it ‘vayikar’. In fact, we find that word used when God appears to the character Bilaam in Bemidbar (Numbers) 23:4: ‘And God happened upon Bilaam’. Although the two words have a similar meaning, the Midrash tells us that the word ‘vayikra’ (with the aleph) implies a loving, close relationship, as in Isaiah 6:3 when the angels are calling to one another. And the word ‘vayikar’ (without an aleph) implies an accident and spiritual impurity. 
 
Moses had several arguments with God, one of them over the use of the aleph in this word. Moses, in his humility, wanted God to use the word ‘vayikar’ without an aleph to show that he regarded himself no better than Bilaam. Yet, God wanted Moses to write it with the aleph as an expression of intimacy and affection. So, they compromised – by using a small aleph.
 
In the abovementioned explanation the small aleph in the first word of parashah Vajikra points to the character trait of humility, a trait that so typified the character of Moses. In this blog we will examine this character trait.
 
Humility involves recognizing our limitations and valuing others’ perspectives. As a personality trait, it fosters personal growth and self-esteem. Humility promotes openness to feedback and reduces defensiveness. So, a humble person is able to maintain a stable identity and at the same time, strong social bonds, in which intimacy and empathy are core characteristics. Research shows that humility is an essential component of a moral character, respecting ourselves and others at a deeper level. It is based on a fundamentally caring and compassionate attitude towards the I and We. 
 
Deriving from the word humus (earth), humility appears to conflict our current valuation of self-esteem. A person must be strong and full of self-worth and self-efficacy, some psychologists promotes. Self-realization is the top of the ladder of a strong identity. Nothing is more outside the truth than this perspective. Humility has nothing to do with meekness, weakness or submissiveness. Humility is an attitude of spiritual modesty that comes from understanding our place in the larger order of things. It sets boundaries and entails not taking our desires, successes and failings too seriously. It is about a general readiness to learn best practices from others and learn from our failures. It embraces constant self-correction and self-improvement. It’s closely connected to, what I describe as, a good-enough self. 
 
Humility has several intrapersonal aspects, as -a willingness to see ourselves truthfully, -an accurate perception of our place in this world, -an ability to acknowledge our mistakes, -openness, -low self-focus and hyper-reflection, and a general appreciation of the value of all things (gratitude). A humble person has a so called ‘quiet ego’. 
 
Besides its positive effect on a person’s personality, a humble mindset has, research shows, significant positive effects on our cognitive and decision-making skills. Humility is directly related to our ability and willingness to learn (central for the Jewish lifestyle). Humble people are better learners and problem solvers, more important as a predictive performance than IQ. Humility, colleague Carol Dweck famously describes, is a crucial aspect of a ‘growth mindset’. It fosters personal growth as well as the quality of our social bonds and society as a whole.   
 
A humble mindset and attitude increase our wellbeing and quality of life, both personal identity and social functioning. It is the perfect antidote to the Selfie, the I-fixated spirit of our age. Alongside love, compassion, forgiveness, altruism, gratitude, and empathy, humility belongs to a cluster of virtues that fosters our identity and bind society together. 
 
The small aleph in the first word of the book of Vajikra contains an essential message that helps us not only to understand the entire book, but especially ourselves. The small aleph points out the importance of ‘a quiet I’, in which humility is key. Limitations, boundaries and order are its main ingredients.   


Click on 'previous' to read more Blogs (Klik op 'vorige' voor meer Blogs).