The Greatness of Being Small
A lesson from the Tiferes Shlomo Parshas Korach
המעט מכם
Is it not enough for you that the G-d of Israel has separated you from the assembly of Israel to draw you close to Him, to do the service of the Mishkan of Hashem.
Is it not enough for you that the G-d of Israel has separated you from the assembly of Israel to draw you close to Him, to do the service of the Mishkan of Hashem.
The opening words of this verse, המעט מכם translates literally as the small amongst you. This alludes to the unique quality of the Jewish people who are described as המעט מכל העמים, the smallest of the nations.
Our greatness as a people and the reason that Hashem chose us is be cause of our humility, because we make ourselves “small”. Hashem desires to dwell amongst those who are humble.
Before we approach Hashem, in prayer we are supposed to humble ourselves. This was the path of Avraham, who before approaching Hashem in prayer declared “I am but dust and ashes”. When we approach Hashem with humility, our prayers are more accepted on High.
This is the inner meaning of why we are likened to the dust of the earth and the stars in the sky. When we humble ourselves like the dust, we merit to be elevated to the greatest heights of connection to Hashem.
When Korach and his supporters from the tribe of Levi came before Moshe seeking the greatness and honour of being the Kohen Gadol, this was the antithesis of humility.
In this verse, Moshe was reminding them that the very reason that they merited to be separated and elevated from amongst Bnei Yisrael to serve before Hashem in the Mishkan was because “המעט מכם” - because of the Middah being “small” i.e. humility.
But now that you have deviated from this Middah and sought honour and greatness, what will become of you?
Our greatness as a people and the reason that Hashem chose us is be cause of our humility, because we make ourselves “small”. Hashem desires to dwell amongst those who are humble.
Before we approach Hashem, in prayer we are supposed to humble ourselves. This was the path of Avraham, who before approaching Hashem in prayer declared “I am but dust and ashes”. When we approach Hashem with humility, our prayers are more accepted on High.
This is the inner meaning of why we are likened to the dust of the earth and the stars in the sky. When we humble ourselves like the dust, we merit to be elevated to the greatest heights of connection to Hashem.
When Korach and his supporters from the tribe of Levi came before Moshe seeking the greatness and honour of being the Kohen Gadol, this was the antithesis of humility.
In this verse, Moshe was reminding them that the very reason that they merited to be separated and elevated from amongst Bnei Yisrael to serve before Hashem in the Mishkan was because “המעט מכם” - because of the Middah being “small” i.e. humility.
But now that you have deviated from this Middah and sought honour and greatness, what will become of you?