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Book Title Bringing Heaven Down to Earth
Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson
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157. Confidence & Humility

Confidence is best found among the truly humble.

Moses was the most humble of all men. Yet he had the confidence to stand before the mightiest dictator on earth and assert his demands. He had the confidence to stand before G-d and listen without losing his composure. He had the confidence even to argue with G-d, when necessary.

Yet he considered himself to be nothing.

The confidence of Moses was not confidence in his own self. He had no self. He was but an agent of Above. Above there is infinite power.

Self-confidence is limited, at best. But if you trust in the One who has sent you to be here and do what you need to do --that confidence knows no bounds.

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Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 25, 2011
Reply
I really liked the response Moses' Confidence and the quote from Eric Kingston. These responses were truly inspiring. They show that we need confidence in order to thrive, and God willing we can gain and be given confidence. Humility therefore does not involve a lack of confidence, but a fostering of it. For it is important to note, that we need confidence in order to accomplish many a great and noble task. In reading these responses I learned from you that humility is not the denial of one's confidence, but the realization of something greater than yourself.
Posted By Aaron Mendelovitz, New York, NY

Posted: Jan 10, 2011
Pure Will and Humility
Yes to be able to bring up an opposing view- it should be natural but for so many it is like being tested. Moses felt loved and loved G-d. Dare I say that Love does not take confidence-however there are two kinds of voices within us struggling-one is evil inclination which is when you decide to say hurtful and selfish things-The other is good inclination which to me is a learning device-you only say things which bring peace and joy and is calming....the struggle is the will but is one humble enough to continue or....when I go to sleep tonight will I forget everything I have learned? It IS a test.
Posted By Judith L Witten, Brockton, Ma/USA

Posted: Dec 27, 2010
Moses
He was confident and mostly humble but because he struck the rock stubbornly and God was not pleased at his arrogant response - it is not good to be stubborn when G-d knows better than we do. Man can be adamant they know best rather than submitting to the will of G-d. Even after 40 long years he was not permitted to enter the land as a result. A lesson for us all - if G-d needs to show us something new and we must be open and humbly submissive to understand what it is He wants us to do. Not be stuck in our ways and think we know what must be done - let's not strike the rock and hope there will be no consequences, G-d forbid.Be open get understanding He may have something new for us today. He can even make a donkey speak when we dont listen.
Posted By Jacqueline, Cirencester, Glos/UK

Posted: Dec 24, 2010
Wise words!
We must reach that perfect balance. Thanks for uplifting us and pouring wisdom over. We must drink from this fountain. Peace, peace and peace for all.
Posted By José Flávio Nogueira Guimarães, Belo Horizonte, MG/Brazil

Posted: Dec 23, 2010
Sh'ma Yisrael
This remind me of one of the Alter Rebbe's teachings;
Sh'ma Yisrael - a Jew senses that
Havayeh Elokeinu - our strength and life is beyond nature, and
Havayeh Echad - G-d is One.

I have been planning to go to Israel for Kosher conversion. Yet, because of my neurosis, I have not been able to work for 2 years and can not save money to go to Israel. I have been very depressed. You remind me that depression or giving up a hope is idolatry. I was losing the confidence on myself. But "our life-force is transcedent, above nature"(Hayom Yom). Just like Rabbi Moshe Bryski taught us in his lecture "The Power of Hope", I should "Hope to G-d, Chazak, strengthen in your heart, Hope to G-d"(Tehillin). I should never lose the confidence in G-d. I should never lose the trust in His Kindness.
Thank you, as always.
Posted By Kayo, Tokyo, Japan

Posted: June 21, 2009
Moses' Confidence
Thank you Rebbe, And if I remember the story accurately at the burning bush, Moshe was sooo humble that he lacked confidence in himself to lead the Israelites that he didn't even want to take on the responsibility, He actually lacked the confidence until God showed him that He was God by performing a few miracles... And Moses finally gave into God and accepted all that He said He (God) would do in helping Moses in taking charge to lead the Israelites... So it just goes to show us that with God's help we who walk in humility and lack self confidence can attain confidence in G-d by hearing and listening to G-d through Torah, and can be confident He will do for us as He has promised.
Posted By Anonymous, Milwaukee, WI

Posted: Nov 1, 2007
Words
Magnificent!!! I always find The Rebbe's word's of comfort and find them to say exactly what I need to hear at the exact time I need to hear it.

“There are stars who's light only reaches the earth long after they have fallen appart. There are people who's remembrance gives light in this world, long after they have passed away. This light shines in our darkest nights on the road we must follow.” The Talmud
Posted By Eric Sander Kingston, West Bloomfield, MI



 


Breaking Free
The New Self Sacrifice
Self-Surrender
Small Things
Subliminal Surrender
Confidence & Humility
Authentic Humility
The Needle
Not Feeling Joy
The Highest
The Gateway
Ego
Beyond I
Leaving Egypt
Four Realms
Escape
Full Index...
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