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How can Moshe be called the most modest person when he knew he was the greatest leader? True modesty means being secure in your own identity while recognizing that every person has unique qualities you lack. This allows you to genuinely respect others and give them their proper honor.
The shiur explores the nature of modesty (anavah) through the lens of Moshe being called "the most modest of all people" in Parshas Beha'aloscha. Rabbi Zweig begins with a Talmudic story about a rabbi who corrected the statement that modesty died with Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, saying "I'm still around" - demonstrating that true modesty paradoxically requires knowing exactly who you are. The central question addressed is how Moshe could be considered the most modest person when he clearly knew his greatness - he was chosen by God, performed miracles, received the Torah (תורה), and held the highest spiritual position among the Jewish people. Rabbi Zweig rejects the common explanation that modesty means feeling small before God while knowing you're greater than people, noting that this doesn't explain why God Himself is described as modest in Midrashic sources.
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Parshas Beha'aloscha 12:3
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