Humility Requires an Expanded State of Consciousness Many people are mistaken about the meaning of humility. We work very hard to overcome our smallmindedness and enter into an expanded state of consciousness. So humility cannot simply be a state of feeling small, because that is small-mindedness. Humility must involve an expanded state of consciousness. Thus, not everyone has the wherewithal to be humble. Humility is so difficult a skill that Moses is praised for having possessed this trait, being called the humblest of all people (Numbers 12:3). As for unworthy humility, that is a species of fawning. For the Seventh of Adar, the Hilula of Moses
The Ways of True Humility “Elevated and Exalted One, dwelling forever, holy is His Name. You dwell with the uplifted and holy, and with the crushed and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the crushed.”
In Your vast compassion, help me realize the ways of true humility in ultimate truth, in accordance with Your good will, even though “I am more animal than man, and I lack human understanding,” and I do not know anyone who knows much of any of the ways of true humility.
You revealed to us that it is Your holy will that a person not remain in a state of constricted consciousness. He must exert himself with all his might in every type of worship that he engages in — particularly, prayer — to emerge from constricted consciousness to expanded consciousness.
You have also revealed to us the great ignominy of egotism. It is hateful in Your eyes. Ego and haughtiness are an abomination to You, HaShem, something that You hate. As the verse states, “Everyone with a haughty heart is an abomination to HaShem.” Such a person is considered like an idolater, and like an object of idolatry itself.
Teach me and guide me so that I will know how a person as boorish, callow and ignorant as myself may learn the way of truth in this area, how to act in this regard.
May I pray with a focused heart, with joy, with expanded consciousness, so that my heart will be uplifted in Your ways, HaShem, yet not possess any egotism, pride or untoward ambitions.
In accordance with Your good will, may I attain true humility, the humility of Moses, who was much “more humble than anyone else upon the face of the earth.”
In regard to the topic of subservience and humility, I do not know how to avoid false humility, which is sycophancy, or how to avoid growing discouraged and how to strengthen myself with all my might to attain “holy insolence” whenever I need to bolster myself.
In regard to interpersonal relations, may all of us who want to enter into the ways of the true Tzaddikim be bold and strong as a leopard to overcome all obstacles, distractions and discouragement.
This is particularly important in this era, in these generations, in the time of the “footsteps of the Mashiach,” when disputes, denunciations and arguments among Torah sages and those who are attached to them have increased throughout the world.
Now some Tzaddikim and worthy people even dishearten a person who is beginning to enter into the service of HaShem — and the snares and obstacles posed by other human beings are even greater.
In this matter, a person may not be humble, subservient or meek before others. To the contrary, he must be as bold as a leopard so that no obstacle will thwart him and no one in the world will discourage him.
Although he himself knows how lowly and worthless he is, that he is inferior to those who oppose him, dispute him, laugh at him and discourage him, nevertheless, he may not nullify himself before them.
To the contrary, he must strengthen himself against them with all his might, and say, “Nevertheless, I, too, want to come close to HaShem, may He be blessed.
“The truly humble Tzaddikim, whose humility is akin to that of the humility of Moses, who was greater in stature than all of the great leaders, hold the hand of all of those who are lowly and distant. They strengthen me as well to come close to HaShem.”
Whatever may be, may I always know my true worthlessness and lowliness, yet nevertheless encourage myself against all who hinder me and discourage me. May I not allow myself to be subdued by them at all.
May I revive myself always with all of the good points that still exist within me, and with the power of the great, true Tzaddikim, who always grasp our hands and urge and strengthen us to come close to You and yearn for You always, at all times, whatever may be. May I take no heed of any obstacle, obstruction or distraction.
Help me, strengthen me and fortify me always, until I bring other people close to You, HaShem, and truly encourage them in Your service and in Your Torah.
My Father in Heaven, You Who know thoughts, You Who know all hidden things, You alone know how much salvation and compassion I need in order to attain all of this. For I am at the opposite extreme from true humility, which is the greatest attainment of all.
I am so far from You that it is simply impossible for me to adequately express myself to You concerning this. Nevertheless, nothing at all is beyond You.
As the verse states, “Is anything hidden from HaShem?” “You can do everything; no purpose can be withheld from You.” You can help even me attain true humility.
In Your true manner, teach me and guide me. Teach me how to conduct myself with all people in such a way that I will be smaller in my eyes than all of them, and truly know how lowly I am. Yet at the same time, I will be bold and strong, and I will not nullify myself before any obstacle, distraction or discouragement.
Help me draw onto myself the holy, true humility of Moses, who was “more humble than anyone else upon the face of the earth.” Protect me and rescue me from any type of humility or subservience that is not in accordance with Your will.
Graciously grant me knowledge, understanding and wisdom, so that I will never fool myself at all regarding the concept of subservience — something that people greatly misunderstand. Teach me the genuinely true path, so that I will discern Your good will in this and in everything else.
Grant me the ability to always pray and serve You with true, expanded holy consciousness at every moment. That is the essential goal of true humility, because “in the place of His greatness, there you find His humility.”
Help me! Save me! “HaShem, incline Your ear, answer me, for I am poor and needy.” “You deliver the humble nation and cast down haughty eyes.” “He will rescue a needy person who cries out, and a poor person who has no one to help him. He will have mercy on the impoverished and needy, and He will save the souls of the needy.”
Help me, because I rely on You. Answer me, my Father in Heaven, for I hope only in You. I call only to You. I look only to You. I await Your salvation alone.
The entire day, our eyes are raised and turn with yearning only to Your great compassion and hidden lovingkindness. Perhaps He will have pity! Perhaps He will be compassionate! Perhaps He will have mercy on a poor nation, and perhaps He will have compassion on the needy. “He did not despise and did not abhor the cry of the poor person, and did not hide His face from him, and heard his outcry to Him.”
“All of my bones will proclaim, ‘HaShem, who is like You? You rescue the poor person from the one stronger than he, and the impoverished and pauper from the person who robs him.’” You hear the wailing of the poor. You take heed of the outcry of the needy, and You save him.
Give me “the shield of Your salvation and support me with Your right hand, and treat me with great humility.” Compassionate One Who answers the poor, answer me. Compassionate One Who answers the brokenhearted, answer me. Compassionate One Who answers the broken of spirit, answer me.
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה כ"ב - בְּעִנְיַן הַהַכְנָעָה טוֹעִים הָעוֹלָם הַרְבֵּה]
לְז' אֲדָר הִילּוּלָא דְּמֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ ע"ה
Humility Requires an Expanded State of Consciousness
Many people are mistaken about the meaning of humility.
We work very hard to overcome our smallmindedness and enter into an expanded state of consciousness. So humility cannot simply be a state of feeling small, because that is small-mindedness. Humility must involve an expanded state of consciousness.
Thus, not everyone has the wherewithal to be humble. Humility is so difficult a skill that Moses is praised for having possessed this trait, being called the humblest of all people (Numbers 12:3). As for unworthy humility, that is a species of fawning.
For the Seventh of Adar, the Hilula of Moses
רָם וְנִשָּׂא שׁוֹכֵן עַד וְקָדוֹשׁ שְׁמוֹ, מָרוֹם וְקָדוֹשׁ תִּשְׁכֹּן, וְאֶת דַּכָּא וּשְׁפַל רוּחַ, לְהַחֲיוֹת רוּחַ שְׁפָלִים וּלְהַחֲיוֹת לֵב נִדְכָּאִים.
The Ways of True Humility
“Elevated and Exalted One, dwelling forever, holy is His Name. You dwell with the uplifted and holy, and with the crushed and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the crushed.”
זַכֵּנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לְהָפִיק דַּרְכֵי הָעֲנָוָה הָאֲמִתִּיִּית בֶּאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, כִּי בַעַר אָנֹכִי מֵאִישׁ וְלֹא בִינַת אָדָם לִי, וְאֵין אִתִּי יוֹדֵעַ עַד מָה שׁוּם דֶּרֶךְ מִדַּרְכֵי הָעֲנָוָה הָאֲמִתִּיִּית,
In Your vast compassion, help me realize the ways of true humility in ultimate truth, in accordance with Your good will, even though “I am more animal than man, and I lack human understanding,” and I do not know anyone who knows much of any of the ways of true humility.
כִּי כְּבָר גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ רְצוֹנְךָ הַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁאֵין רְצוֹנְךָ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה הָאָדָם בְּמֹחִין דְּקַטְנוּת, וּצְרִיכִין לְהַכְרִיחַ אֶת עַצְמוֹ בְּכָל הַכֹּחוֹת, בְּכָל הָעֲבוֹדוֹת, וּבִפְרָט בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה, לָצֵאת מִמֹּחִין דְּקַטְנוּת לְמֹחִין דְּגַדְלוּת.
You revealed to us that it is Your holy will that a person not remain in a state of constricted consciousness. He must exert himself with all his might in every type of worship that he engages in — particularly, prayer — to emerge from constricted consciousness to expanded consciousness.
וְגַם כְּבָר גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ גֹדֶל בִּזּוּי הַגַּדְלוּת שֶׁהוּא שָׂנוּא בְּעֵינֶיךָ מְאֹד, כִּי הַגַּדְלוּת וְהַגַּבְהוּת הוּא תוֹעֲבַת יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר שָׂנֵא, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, תּוֹעֲבַת יְהֹוָה כָּל גְּבַהּ־לֵּב, וְנֶחְשָׁב כְּעוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדָה־זָרָה וְכַאֲשֵׁרָה.
You have also revealed to us the great ignominy of egotism. It is hateful in Your eyes. Ego and haughtiness are an abomination to You, HaShem, something that You hate. As the verse states, “Everyone with a haughty heart is an abomination to HaShem.” Such a person is considered like an idolater, and like an object of idolatry itself.
וְעַתָּה לַמְּדֵנִי וְהוֹרֵנִי אֵיךְ יִזְכֶּה בַּעַר וְנַעַר וַחֲסַר דֵּעָה כָּמוֹנִי, לֵידַע דֶּרֶךְ הָאֱמֶת בָּזֶה, אֵיךְ לְהִתְנַהֵג בָּזֶה,
Teach me and guide me so that I will know how a person as boorish, callow and ignorant as myself may learn the way of truth in this area, how to act in this regard.
בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל בְּכַוָּנַת הַלֵּב בְּשִׂמְחָה, בְּמֹחִין דְּגַדְלוּת, שֶׁיִּגְבַּהּ לִבִּי בְּדַרְכֵי יְהֹוָה, וְאַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן לֹא יִהְיֶה בְּלִבִּי שׁוּם צַד גֵּאוּת וְגַדְלוּת וּפְנִיּוֹת,
May I pray with a focused heart, with joy, with expanded consciousness, so that my heart will be uplifted in Your ways, HaShem, yet not possess any egotism, pride or untoward ambitions.
רַק אֶזְכֶּה לַעֲנָוָה אֲמִתִּיִּית כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, לַעֲנָוָה שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, שֶׁהָיָה עָנָו מְאֹד מִכֹּל הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה:
In accordance with Your good will, may I attain true humility, the humility of Moses, who was much “more humble than anyone else upon the face of the earth.”
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ כַּמָּה בִּלְבּוּלִים בְּלִי שִׁעוּר יֵשׁ לִי בְּעִנְיָן זֶה, וּבִפְרָט בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה.
Master of the world, You know how much immeasurable confusion I have experienced regarding this matter — in particular, when it comes to prayer.
כִּי אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ שׁוּם דֶּרֶךְ בְּעִנְיָן זֶה שֶׁל הַהַכְנָעָה וְהָעֲנָוָה, אֵיךְ לְהִנָּצֵל מֵעֲנָוָה פְּסוּלָה הַנִּקְרֵאת חֲנוּפָּה, וְלִבְלִי לִפֹּל בְּדַעְתִּי כְּלָל לְעוֹלָם, וּלְהִתְחַזֵּק בְּכָל עֹז בְּעַזּוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה בְּכָל מַה שֶּׁאֲנִי צָרִיךְ לְהִתְחַזֵּק,
In regard to the topic of subservience and humility, I do not know how to avoid false humility, which is sycophancy, or how to avoid growing discouraged and how to strengthen myself with all my might to attain “holy insolence” whenever I need to bolster myself.
הֵן בֵּינִי לְבֵין עַצְמִי לְבַל אֶפֹּל בְּדַעְתִּי כְּלָל, רַק לְהִתְחַזֵּק בְּשִׂמְחָה בְּעֹז וְחֶדְוָה תָמִיד, וְחֶדְוַת יְהֹוָה יִהְיֶה מְעֻזִּי.
May I never collapse inwardly, but always encourage myself with joy, might and gladness, so that the gladness of HaShem will be my fortress.
וְהֵן בְּעִנְיָן הַהַנְהָגָה עִם בְּנֵי הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁצְּרִיכִין לִהְיוֹת עַז וְחָזָק כַּנָּמֵר נֶגֶד כָּל הַמּוֹנְעִים וְהַמְבַלְבְּלִים וְהַמַּחֲלִישִׁים דַּעַת הָרוֹצִים לִכְנֹס בְּדַרְכֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים,
In regard to interpersonal relations, may all of us who want to enter into the ways of the true Tzaddikim be bold and strong as a leopard to overcome all obstacles, distractions and discouragement.
בִּפְרָט בָּעִתִּים הַלָּלוּ בְּדוֹרוֹת אֵלּוּ, בְּעוּקְבָא דִמְשִׁיחָא, אֲשֶׁר נִתְרַבָּה הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת וְהַקַּטֵּגוֹרְיָא וְהַסִּכְסוּכִים בֵּין הַתַּלְמִידֵי־חֲכָמִים וְהַנִּלְוִים אֲלֵיהֶם, וּבֵין כָּל הָעוֹלָם,
This is particularly important in this era, in these generations, in the time of the “footsteps of the Mashiach,” when disputes, denunciations and arguments among Torah sages and those who are attached to them have increased throughout the world.
עַד אֲשֶׁר נִמְצָאִים אֲפִלּוּ צַדִּיקִים וּכְשֵׁרִים שֶׁיְּכוֹלִים לְהַחֲלִישׁ דַּעַת הַמַּתְחִיל לִכְנֹס בַּעֲבוֹדַת יְהֹוָה, מִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן הַהִתְגָּרוּת וְהַמְּנִיעוֹת שֶׁל שְׁאָר בְּנֵי הָעוֹלָם,
Now some Tzaddikim and worthy people even dishearten a person who is beginning to enter into the service of HaShem — and the snares and obstacles posed by other human beings are even greater.
אֲשֶׁר בְּעִנְיָן זֶה אָסוּר לְהָאָדָם לִהְיוֹת עָנָיו וְנִכְנָע וְשָׁפָל כְּנֶגְדָּם, אַדְרַבָּא, צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת עַז כַּנָּמֵר כְּנֶגְדָּם לְבַל יִמְנָעֵהוּ שׁוּם מוֹנֵעַ, וְאַל יוּכַל לְהַחֲלִישׁ דַּעְתּוֹ שׁוּם אָדָם שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם,
In this matter, a person may not be humble, subservient or meek before others. To the contrary, he must be as bold as a leopard so that no obstacle will thwart him and no one in the world will discourage him.
וְאַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁהוּא יוֹדֵעַ בְּעַצְמוֹ שִׁפְלוּתוֹ וּפְחִיתוּתוֹ שֶׁהוּא גָּרוּעַ הַרְבֵּה מֵהַקָּמִים כְּנֶגְדּוֹ וְחוֹלְקִים עָלָיו וּמִתְלוֹצְצִים מִמֶּנּוּ וּמַחֲלִישִׁים דַּעְתּוֹ, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן אָסוּר לוֹ לְהִתְבַּטֵּל כְּנֶגְדָּם,
Although he himself knows how lowly and worthless he is, that he is inferior to those who oppose him, dispute him, laugh at him and discourage him, nevertheless, he may not nullify himself before them.
אַדְרַבָּא, צָרִיךְ לְהִתְחַזֵּק כְּנֶגְדָּם בְּכָל עֹז, וְיֹאמַר, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן גַּם אֲנִי רוֹצֶה לְהִתְקָרֵב לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ!
To the contrary, he must strengthen himself against them with all his might, and say, “Nevertheless, I, too, want to come close to HaShem, may He be blessed.
כִּי הַצַּדִּיקִים הָעֲנָוִים בֶּאֱמֶת בִּבְחִינַת עֲנָוָה שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, הַגְּדוֹלִים בְּמַעֲלָה מִכָּל גְּדוֹלֵי עוֹלָם, הֵם אוֹחֲזִים בְּיַד כָּל הַשְּׁפָלִים וְהָרְחוֹקִים, וּמְחַזְּקִים גַּם אוֹתִי לְהִתְקָרֵב לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ.
“The truly humble Tzaddikim, whose humility is akin to that of the humility of Moses, who was greater in stature than all of the great leaders, hold the hand of all of those who are lowly and distant. They strengthen me as well to come close to HaShem.”
וְעַתָּה אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, לַמְּדֵנִי וְהוֹרֵנִי וְחַזְּקֵנִי וְאַמְּצֵנִי אֵיךְ לִזְכּוֹת לָזֶה, שֶׁאֵדַע תָּמִיד פְּחִיתוּתִי וְשִׁפְלוּתִי בֶּאֱמֶת,
And now, my Father in Heaven, teach me, guide me, strengthen me and fortify me on how to attain this.
וְאַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן אֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְחַזֵּק נֶגֶד כָּל הַמּוֹנְעִים וְהַמַּחֲלִישִׁים אֶת הַדַּעַת, יִהְיֶה מִי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, וְלֹא אֶתְבַּטֵּל נֶגְדָּם כְּלָל.
Whatever may be, may I always know my true worthlessness and lowliness, yet nevertheless encourage myself against all who hinder me and discourage me. May I not allow myself to be subdued by them at all.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהַחֲיוֹת אֶת עַצְמִי תָמִיד בְּכָל הַנְּקֻדּוֹת טוֹבוֹת הַנִּמְצָאִים בִּי עֲדַיִן, וּבְכֹחַ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים הָאוֹחֲזִים בְּיָדֵינוּ תָמִיד, וּמְזָרְזִים וּמְחַזְּקִים אוֹתָנוּ לְהִתְקָרֵב וּלְהִשְׁתּוֹקֵק אֵלֶיךָ תָּמִיד בְּכָל עֵת יִהְיֶה אֵיךְ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, וְלִבְלִי לְהִסְתַּכֵּל עַל שׁוּם מוֹנֵעַ וּמְעַכֵּב וּמְבַלְבֵּל:
May I revive myself always with all of the good points that still exist within me, and with the power of the great, true Tzaddikim, who always grasp our hands and urge and strengthen us to come close to You and yearn for You always, at all times, whatever may be. May I take no heed of any obstacle, obstruction or distraction.
וְתַעַזְרֵנִי וּתְחַזְּקֵנִי וּתְאַמְּצֵנִי תָמִיד, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְקָרֵב לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ גַּם אֲנָשִׁים אֲחֵרִים, וּלְחַזְּקָם בַּעֲבוֹדָתְךָ וּבְתוֹרָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת.
Help me, strengthen me and fortify me always, until I bring other people close to You, HaShem, and truly encourage them in Your service and in Your Torah.
כַּאֲשֶׁר הִזְהַרְתָּנוּ עַל זֶה עַל־יְדֵי צַדִּיקֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, שֶׁכָּל אָדָם מְחֻיָּב לַעֲסֹק בָּזֶה.
You have taught us through all of Your true Tzaddikim that every person is obligated to engage in this.
אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, יוֹדֵעַ מַחֲשָׁבוֹת, יוֹדֵעַ כָּל הַתַּעֲלוּמוֹת, אַתָּה לְבַד יוֹדֵעַ כַּמָּה יְשׁוּעָה וְרַחֲמִים אֲנִי צָרִיךְ לִזְכּוֹת לְכָל זֶה, כִּי אֲנִי רָחוֹק מֵעֲנָוָה אֲמִתִּיִּית בְּתַכְלִית הָרִחוּק, כִּי עֲנָוָה גְּדוֹלָה מִכֻּלָּם.
My Father in Heaven, You Who know thoughts, You Who know all hidden things, You alone know how much salvation and compassion I need in order to attain all of this. For I am at the opposite extreme from true humility, which is the greatest attainment of all.
וּבְעֹצֶם רִחוּקִי מִמְּךָ, גַּם לְפָרֵשׁ שִׂיחָתִי לְפָנֶיךָ הֵיטֵב בְּעִנְיָן זֶה נִמְנַע מִמֶּנִּי מְאֹד. אַךְ אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן, מִמְּךָ לֹא יִפָּלֵא כָּל דָּבָר,
I am so far from You that it is simply impossible for me to adequately express myself to You concerning this. Nevertheless, nothing at all is beyond You.
כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵיהֹוָה דָּבָר, הֵן כֹּל תּוּכָל וְלֹא יִבָּצֵר מִמְּךָ מְזִמָּה. וְאַתָּה יָכוֹל לְזַכּוֹת גַּם אוֹתִי לַעֲנָוָה אֲמִתִּיִּית.
As the verse states, “Is anything hidden from HaShem?” “You can do everything; no purpose can be withheld from You.” You can help even me attain true humility.
וְתוֹרֵנִי וְתַדְרִיכֵנִי בַאֲמִתֶּךָ, וּתְלַמְּדֵנִי אֵיךְ לְהִתְנַהֵג עִם כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת קָטָן בְּעֵינַי מִכֻּלָּם וְלֵידַע שִׁפְלוּתִי בֶּאֱמֶת, וְאַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן אֶהְיֶה עַז וְחָזָק לִבְלִי לְהִתְבַּטֵּל נֶגֶד שׁוּם מוֹנֵעַ וּמְבַלְבֵּל וּמַחֲלִישׁ דַּעַת.
In Your true manner, teach me and guide me. Teach me how to conduct myself with all people in such a way that I will be smaller in my eyes than all of them, and truly know how lowly I am. Yet at the same time, I will be bold and strong, and I will not nullify myself before any obstacle, distraction or discouragement.
זַכֵּנִי לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלַי קְדֻשַּׁת הָעֲנָוָה הָאֲמִתִּיִּית שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, שֶׁהָיָה עָנָו מְאֹד מִכֹּל הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה. וְשָׁמְרֵנִי וְהַצִּילֵנִי מֵעֲנָוָה וְהַכְנָעָה שֶׁאֵינָהּ כִּרְצוֹנְךָ.
Help me draw onto myself the holy, true humility of Moses, who was “more humble than anyone else upon the face of the earth.” Protect me and rescue me from any type of humility or subservience that is not in accordance with Your will.
חָנֵּנִי מֵאִתְּךָ דֵּעָה בִּינָה וְהַשְׂכֵּל, לְבַל אַטְעֶה אֶת עַצְמִי כְּלָל בְּעִנְיָן הַהַכְנָעָה שֶׁטּוֹעִים בָּזֶה הָעוֹלָם הַרְבֵּה. לַמְּדֵנִי דֶּרֶךְ הָאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְכַוֵּן בָּזֶה וּבְכָל דָּבָר רְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב בֶּאֱמֶת.
Graciously grant me knowledge, understanding and wisdom, so that I will never fool myself at all regarding the concept of subservience — something that people greatly misunderstand. Teach me the genuinely true path, so that I will discern Your good will in this and in everything else.
זַכֵּנִי לְהִתְפַּלֵּל וְלַעֲבֹד אוֹתְךָ תָמִיד בֶּאֱמֶת בְּמֹחִין דְּגַדְלוּת בְּכָל־עֵת, בְּמֹחִין גְּדוֹלִים אֲמִתִּיִּים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, שֶׁהֵם עִקָּר תַּכְלִית הָעֲנָוָה הָאֲמִתִּיִּית, כִּי בִּמְקוֹם גְּדֻלָּתוֹ שָׁם אַתָּה מוֹצֵא עַנְוְתָנוּתוֹ.
Grant me the ability to always pray and serve You with true, expanded holy consciousness at every moment. That is the essential goal of true humility, because “in the place of His greatness, there you find His humility.”
עָזְרֵנִי עָזְרֵנִי, הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי, הַטֵּה יְהֹוָה אָזְנְךָ עֲנֵנִי, כִּי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אָנִי. כִּי אַתָּה עַם עָנִי תוֹשִׁיעַ וְעֵינַיִם רָמוֹת תַּשְׁפִּיל. כִּי יַצִּיל אֶבְיוֹן מְשַׁוֵּעַ וְעָנִי וְאֵין עוֹזֵר לוֹ. יָחוֹס עַל דַּל וְאֶבְיוֹן וְנַפְשׁוֹת אֶבְיוֹנִים יוֹשִׁיעַ.
Help me! Save me! “HaShem, incline Your ear, answer me, for I am poor and needy.” “You deliver the humble nation and cast down haughty eyes.” “He will rescue a needy person who cries out, and a poor person who has no one to help him. He will have mercy on the impoverished and needy, and He will save the souls of the needy.”
עָזְרֵנִי כִּי עָלֶיךָ נִשְׁעָנְתִּי, עֲנֵנִי אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, כִּי לְךָ לְבַד הוֹחָלְתִּי, לְךָ לְבַד אֲנִי קוֹרֵא, לְךָ לְבַד אֲנִי מְצַפֶּה, לִישׁוּעָתְךָ לְבַד אֲנִי מְחַכֶּה,
Help me, because I rely on You. Answer me, my Father in Heaven, for I hope only in You. I call only to You. I look only to You. I await Your salvation alone.
לְרַחֲמֶיךָ הַגְּדוֹלִים וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַגְּנוּזִים לְבַד תְּלוּיוֹת עֵינַי וְכָלוֹת אֲלֵיהֶם כָּל הַיּוֹם. אוּלַי יָחוֹס אוּלַי יְרַחֵם, אוּלַי יָחוֹס עַם עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אוּלַי יְרַחֵם. כִּי לֹא בָזָה וְלֹא שִׁקַּץ עֱנוּת עָנִי וְלֹא הִסְתִּיר פָּנָיו מִמֶּנּוּ, וּבְשַׁוְּעוֹ אֵלָיו שָׁמֵעַ.
The entire day, our eyes are raised and turn with yearning only to Your great compassion and hidden lovingkindness. Perhaps He will have pity! Perhaps He will be compassionate! Perhaps He will have mercy on a poor nation, and perhaps He will have compassion on the needy. “He did not despise and did not abhor the cry of the poor person, and did not hide His face from him, and heard his outcry to Him.”
כָּל עַצְמוֹתַי תֹּאמַרְנָה יְהֹוָה מִי כָמוֹךָ, מַצִּיל עָנִי מֵחָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ וְעָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן מִגּוֹזְלוֹ. שַׁוְעַת עֲנִיִּים אַתָּה תִשְׁמַע, צַעֲקַת הַדַּל תַּקְשִׁיב וְתוֹשִׁיעַ.
“All of my bones will proclaim, ‘HaShem, who is like You? You rescue the poor person from the one stronger than he, and the impoverished and pauper from the person who robs him.’” You hear the wailing of the poor. You take heed of the outcry of the needy, and You save him.
תֶּן לִי מָגֵן יִשְׁעֶךָ וִימִינְךָ תִסְעָדֵנִי וְעַנְוָתְךָ תַרְבֵּנִי. רַחֲמָנָא דְּעָנֵי לַעֲנִיֵּי עֲנֵינָא, רַחֲמָנָא דְעָנֵי לִתְבִירֵי לִבָּא עֲנֵינָא, רַחֲמָנָא דְּעָנֵי לְמַכִּיכֵי רוּחָא עֲנֵינָא.
Give me “the shield of Your salvation and support me with Your right hand, and treat me with great humility.” Compassionate One Who answers the poor, answer me. Compassionate One Who answers the brokenhearted, answer me. Compassionate One Who answers the broken of spirit, answer me.
וַאֲנִי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן, אֱלֹהִים חוּשָׁה לִּי, עֶזְרִי וּמְפַלְטִי אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אַל תְּאַחַר. אָמֵן וְאָמֵן:
“I am poor and needy. God, hasten to me. You are my help and my rescuer. HaShem, do not delay!” Amen and amen.