Truly Humble

Moses, it is written, was the most humble of all men.

Obviously, he knew who he was. He knew that of all men, he alone was chosen to accomplish the greatest tasks of history—to lead an entire nation out from bondage and bring them to the greatest revelation that would ever be. He was the loftiest of all prophets, who spoke directly to G‑d whenever he wished.

He knew all this and yet he was humble.

Because Moses told himself, “This is not my own achievement. This is what I have done with the powers G‑d has gifted me. Certainly, had someone else been given these same powers, that someone else would have done an even better job.”

Likutei Sichot, vol. 13, pg. 30.

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

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Eleanor Skibo Pennsylvania, USA January 9, 2026

On this Shabbat Eve, I cry out to every Jew in the United States, Israel and all other nations, to plead with G D, for peace, strength, love and forgiveness of all hate, evil and other sins as offerings to our Creator, G D,. This universe showering beauty in everything and everyone and in everyplace by G D, should all be accepted as blessings not curses to use for evil acts and words against all others. There are good ways to communicate, but everyone of us must hear and obey spoken and unspoken words of G D, and his laws and commandments. I fear, if we don't there will be dire circumstances for everyone of us to pay. My heart, mind, and being is in prayer; I pray all of you will do the same. Reply

Samuel Narovlansky Newton Center January 8, 2026

I read an article recently on Chabad.org called "Free Will" which states that humans have free will and that choice gives our lives meaning. This daily dose seems to contradict that teaching because Moses is saying that G-d made him great, rather than him making choices to be a tzadik. Is life then a combination of free will and outcomes determined by G-d? Reply

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman January 9, 2026

in response to Samuel Narovlansky:

Of course it is. That’s exactly what’s stated here. Moses knew his talents were G‑d given—and he felt that perhaps someone else would have done even better with the same talents. Reply

Feigue Cieplinski Middletown January 9, 2026

in response to Samuel Narovlansky:

Great question! it is my understanding that both notions are important and stay in tandem. See that even in the Gan -Eden Adam and Chava had free will to disobey. Yes? That same Free Will had to stay in place after too, so that humans are able to judge all situations, and act accordingly. My take would be that free will is what accounts for issues such as the Shoa. it is an affair between humans. H' was not involved in the decision nor the outcome. ,People that come to the conclusion -given the results of that tragedy- to stop believing in H' . I say no quite to the contrary On the other hand, Moshe is the example because there were not many issues in his control when he was growing up, but understood what his mom told him and survived that period. With the burning bush he immediately says: Hineni (my favorite phrase. ) The two can co-exist" free will " to survive in this world and trust in H ' to ,again, survive in this world. Yes? Reply

Feigue Cieplinski Middletown June 10, 2025

Moses, knew who he was because his mother fed him, but he remained a good son to the princess. Precisely because he could not forget his origins he went to see the treatment of the Jewish slaves, and we know his response. That was a test. Being in the palace he knew his place too; he passed it with his proper response. He was strong because he was grateful to be alive and ended up serving H' with a ready Hineni. The message to us is to learn that strenght is an inner issue not to show off as powerful because of your position , or wealth in life, but be ready, like him, to say Hineni by following the best we can the Mitzvot and faith in H' that things will work out despite obstacles.. Reply

Avishai Barbourville, KY June 21, 2024

True it is, real humility comes from a position of strength. But there are many who want to show their strength, their power, and the end of them is not humility. Moses knew that without G-d he was nothing, and made himself available for G-d’s use.

That is a great example for all of us to follow. Reply

David Harold Chester Petach Tikva, Israel January 4, 2021

When I first came to the land of Israel, to live here, my attitude was to be humble and not to complain about the many matters that are wrong and would need attention to correct them. This attitude gave me no support or help in getting to become acclimatized to these surroundings. Even today, I do not often make a fuss about a problem that is caused by unjust or unethical behavior. I have learned the hard way that us Jews have so much chutzpah within that my approach is hopeless in making good progress Due to what I feel is shyness I remain a foolish person who can only function properly in my professional activities (which are few since I have retired). Moral.....don't remain humble if you wish to make progress ! Reply

Brenda Toronto, Canada March 6, 2018

Spiritual Humility Moses acquired the high spiritual degree of 'Bina'.
He described it as ascending the mountain. He ascended above our nature of self-concern. He was operating according to the G_dly attribute of giving.
Being totally detached from himself is associated with being humble. This sublime quality dictated that he should disseminate how to overcome our nature to the nation.

This sublime quality enables us to exist only for others, that is the meaning of our existence. All humanity must eventually operate for the well being of the collective.This state will elevate us to the next level of existence.

The Kabbalistic authors of the The Book of Zohar, the Tanya, The Tree Of Life and other such works all aim at presenting how we lower or humble our egoistic nature in order to ascend to the level of G_dliness, the degree of Bina. This is true humility. Much exertion and requests for help is required to come out of our nature. Reply

B. Apel Encino, Ca. May 6, 2013

Moses Please read attentively the 'Likutey Amarim (Tanya)'. It tells explicitly that Moses has all right to be angry with those who would trespass the Divine commandments. Reply

Anonymous MEDINA May 6, 2013

Moses A truly Humble man does not show anger. Moses did. Reply

Richard Rapanos Mission, B.C January 8, 2026

in response to Anonymous:

This is not correct. Being angry ( righteous anger) does not mean you are not humble. Even G-d gets angry. Also if you don't believe Moses was the most humble man on the earth, then you need to take that up with G-d for He indeed said this Himself Reply

Seth Howell Fairfax, VA via chabadva.org May 6, 2013

Humility and Strength I find a great deal of beauty in the daily thought focusing on Moses. Even as the most humble of men, Moses still had the strength of a leader and judge. From my limited understanding, his humility and strength were augmenting characteristics. Reply

Richard Rapanos Mission, B.C January 8, 2026

in response to Seth Howell:

There have been thousands of books written on leadership and how to be a leader. But all one has to do to be a great leader is read Exodus , and how Moses handled everything. He was the greatest leader in the Old Testament. Dig deep into his leadership skills Reply

M.M. Reno, NV via chabadnorthernnevada.com May 6, 2013

Moses Moses was by no means a man like any other. Although, the Torah says we as men and women are all created equally, or have the exact same beauties, capabilities, and can achieve the same things no matter how powerful or congenial, because we are created equal. It is our closeness with our creator and how true we are to Him and his expectations that makes us exceptional people. Moses must have must have been very close to G-d. Reply

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman (author) December 26, 2010

For Dima If you are trying to be humble, then you mustn't say you are humble. But if you truly are humble, then even when you say you are humble it does not affect you.

Besides, G-d told him to write it, so he wrote it. Reply

Dima LA, CA December 26, 2010

Most humble Why would he write in the Torah that he was most humble? is calling oneself humble still means the person is humble? Reply

john smith fort lauderdale, fl December 24, 2010

i have been confused for the longest time i thought if i were not humble than i was not following tradition. i have come to the conclusion that it is one thing to be humble to G-d and another to be humble to the human race or people who either do not believe no take others feeling into consideration while living thier own personal life on the planet. i am humbled by G-d alone and NOTHING else! since others who walk the planet have no connection than i choose not to worry about who they are. this is my animal soul speaking loud and clear and i use it to protect my own individual life. if there are others in need of protection that i see that can not protect themselves from this lack of knowledge and are being humble i will go out of my way to protect them otherwise they are on thier own with G-d. i do not pretend to be him nor should i or anyone else. if true path of G-d is within us all and i believe it is than i can only continue on my journey but refuse to be led to slaughter by another human being. Reply

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