Compassionate, Bashful, Benevolent - The character traits of our people

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Compassionate, Bashful, Benevolent: The character traits of our people

There are three traits, declares the Talmud, that characterize the Jewish people. An analysis of these qualities from the differing perspectives of the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds. (Likkutei Sichos, vol. 30)

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Topics:	Gimmel Tammuz, Giver and Recipient, Jewishness; Jewish Identity, Vayeira, Humility

By Moishe New

Rabbi Moishe New heads the Montreal Torah Center. He is a sought out lecturer on Kabbalah and Chassidus, and their relevance in our lives today.

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3 Comments

zeynep via themtc.com October 18, 2013

On a personal note I, Rabbi, am in the Defense Force of G-d. Unconsciously (but fiercely nevertheless) for the first 46 years of my life, then consciously for the last 3,5 years. My
G-d has had to take me through hell, through the deepest exile you can imagine, to get it into my stupid head.And now He has granted me peace: I am with Him.

At this point I don't even desire to behave/act, but only work on increasing my love for Him so He may come closer.Yet I find myself compelled at times to act/behave outwardly (I am mainly referring to my commentative activity on Chabad.org) and I do so only after meticulous consultation with my G-d.

You see Rabbi, I was born on the 16th day of the Omer, the day when we count Gevurah sheb'Tifferet. There is a certain sharpness to my tongue it seems. Of course I shall have to work to refine it, but I don't want to die in the process. Perhaps I never will succeed and that is good so too. But perhaps, on a deeper level, I am not meant to succeed on my own.

Shalom. Reply

zeynep via themtc.com October 18, 2013

Humility and giving/receiving Dear Rabbi; you said:'when giving, you lose a bit of humility.' I know this to be factually true in many cases.It is a virtue to be aware of it and the first step in its rectification. I personally see the rectification of it dependent upon a linguistic clarification, and subsequent individual internalization work. The 'giver' does NOT 'have',he/she is 'entrusted', they 'carry' something which has not originated from them.This most know, but we fall miserably short in the internalization work. When truly and deeply internalized, this Truth should rule out any blemish to humility.

Like yourself I also don't see any inequality between the 'giver' and the 'receiver'. We are all absolutely equal in that we are all LEARNING. It's just that our learning needs are different and thus the role distribution as a Divine pedagogical tool to bring about the Divine personalities of each and everyone of us. For G-d desires a Living Divine Family and NOT uniformed bland obedience devoid of Life. Reply

Anita Oschwald NM October 16, 2013

Re-Run Shalom Rabbi New,

I missed the broadcast as I work until 7pm Mountain time. Is/will there be a date on the re-run so I can view it?

Toda,
Anita Reply