R. Yehuda ibn Attar (1655–1733), who served as rabbi in Fez, is regarded as one of the greatest leaders among Moroccan Jewry. A saintly and pious man, he was known as a miracle worker and was revered by the local Jews and Muslims alike. He refused to accept a salary from the community, working as a goldsmith instead.

It is related that he was once thrown into a lion’s den and miraculously survived unharmed (Shem Hagedolim). This protagonist of this story is often said to be—apparently in error—R. Yehuda’s kinsman, R. Chaim ibn Attar (see link below).

Link: Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar

“The man Moses was more humble than any human being on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)

Moses didn’t fool himself. He knew how good he was. He knew he stood on a level beyond any other human being. Yet he was humbled before them.

Because he knew that all that he had achieved was only with the capabilities given to him from Above. He figured that if someone else were given these same capabilities, that person would achieve as much as him.

And who knows, perhaps someone else would have used those capabilities to their fullest and achieved even more.