Chapter I

אני ישנה ולבי ער

"Though I slumber,my heart is awake."1

The Midrash comments:2 "The congregation of Israel says to G-d, 'Master of the Universe, I slumber in my performance of mitzvos but my heart is awake to acts of kindness; I slumber when it comes to pondering the time when exile will end, but my heart is awake to the redemption; I slumber too deeply to think about the redemption, but G-d's "heart" is alert to my redemption.' Said R. Chiya the son of Abba: 'Where do we find that G-d is called the "heart" of Israel? [We derive this] from the verse:3 "Rock of my heart, G-d, You are my portion forever".

The Talmud4 comments that Jews possess three innate character traits: they are bashful, merciful and benevolent. These traits are not only meritorious in and of themselves, but also reveal the greatness of the Jewish people. Every Jew inherently possesses these beautiful traits.

There are two kinds of bashfulness. That which is meritorious and referred to here is not that which stems from a flaw in character, for a person may be bashful simply because he is timid by nature. We observe that there are people who have a meek disposition. This causes them to always speak in a faltering and hesitant manner. People who are naturally timid and meek will in general be bashful.

Another form of bashfulness is when one is humbled before the truth, for it is known that "truth humbles all." It is this form of bashfulness that is meritorious. Indeed, Jews possess a marked degree of strength, as the Talmud5 notes: "[There are three distinguished in strength (ferocity):] Israel among the nations...." Yet, they also possess the trait of bashfulness inasmuch as they are aware of and humbled by truth. This latter form of bashfulness is an inherent trait possessed by each and every Jew.

Implicit [in awareness of truth] is a feeling for others. For this reason the quality of mercy is found only among those who have attained an elevated state of morality. A child lacks the attribute of mercy since he lacks understanding. The greater one's understanding, the greater his qualities of mercy and benevolence,

In times of exile Jews feel humiliated, for "slaves rule us."6 Even the "lowest of the low" laugh and scoff at those who are G-d-fearing. However, Jews possess the quality of mesirus nefesh [and with this power are able to overcome all obstacles].

The Talmud7 comments: "A camel is loaded according to his capacity to bear." During ikvesa deMeshicha the power of mesirus nefesh is even greater than it was during the time of the Temple's existence. The parable that helps us understand how this is so is that it is easier to immerse one's heel in hot water than one's head.

Summary: Jewish inborn traits are bashfulness, brought about by being cognizant of and humbled before the truth; mercy feeling mercifully towards one's fellow; and benevolence acting in a benevolent manner. Jews also possess the power of mesirus nefesh concerning Torah and mitzvos.