Standing Tall with Humility
The orders of the Torah portions are intentional. In preparation for the holiday of Shavous we have the rebuke in this week’s Parsha, similar how it is two weeks before Rosh Hashanah.
The rebuke is a preparation for us to recognize the power of these days (Shavous and Rosh Hashanah) but with a Shabbat in between to soften the intensity. We call this “balance”!
I want to focus on a blessing that precedes the rebukes. There are a handful of blessings “if we listen to Hashems’ voice”.
The last of the blessings is that “I will bring you upright into the land”. The commentaries say with an upright posture.
An upright posture is an expression of confidence. I suspect the blessing is that which follows all the other blessings that precede it. When we have all of our material needs met, when neighboring countries are afraid to fight with us and even to pass through our Land with a sword, we have a sense of confidence that Hashem has our back.
It’s not an arrogant posture, it’s a confident one. In fact, it’s one of humility – the best kind of confidence, knowing you are in alignment with Hashem.
While it is a blessing it’s also something we must literally posture ourselves into to gain the confidence that we are all that.
When we stand straight, literally and figuratively, the world around us respects us even if they don’t love us.
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This Shabbos is my grandfather R’ Mordechai Schusterman’s 31st anniversary of passing. The years align with Dena and my wedding years as my grandfather passed away after our engagement and only five weeks before our wedding.
He was the Rebbe’s Torah reader for 39 years. A printer, a hard worker and beloved by all who knew him.
He left a will allocating his meager early possessions and then some spiritual guidance instruction. "The one request I have of my children and grandchildren is that they should not be haughty." (In Yiddish: ניט בלאזן פון זיך don't blow hot air about yourself).
His request embodied his own life. He was confident, sincere and authentic but also humble. These are two truths that he asked his children and grandchildren to hold side by side.
It is also the call of our time. Confident Jews, sincere and authentic, but also humble with the responsibility that has been put on us.
Chazak Chazak Vinischazek! Be strong be strong and be strengthened, these are the words we close out the Parsha and the third book of the Torah this week.
It is a fitting blessing and wish for us in our time!
Have a great Shabbos!
Ps. I wonder if that is why my grandfather’s name was Mordechai. He resembled the Mordechai from the Purim Story, strength and humility.
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