More on arrogance and humility (with a potential seder discussion at the end) TB Sotah 5

Today’s daf TB Sotah almost exclusively describes the negative quality of arrogance. In fact, Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak cites the verse which he proves that being arrogant violates a negative commandment. “Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said the warning is from here: “Then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:14), and it is also written in that same passage: “Beware lest you forget the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:11). (Sefaria.org translation)

"The Gemara explains: And these sources are in accordance with a statement that Rabbi Avin says that Rabbi Ile’a says, as Rabbi Avin says that Rabbi Ile’a says: Wherever it is stated in a verse “beware,” “lest,” or “not,” this is nothing other than a prohibition. Since these verses employ these terms in the context of one who is arrogant, they serve as sources for the prohibition.” (Sefaria.org translation)

God loves the humble and will raise him up as he brings the arrogant low. “Rav Avira interpreted a verse homiletically, and some say that Rabbi Elazar interpreted as follows: Come and see that the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not like the attribute of flesh and blood. The attribute of flesh and blood is that the elevated sees the elevated, but the elevated does not see the lowly. But the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not like that. He is elevated but sees specifically the lowly, as it is stated: “For though the Lord is high, yet regards He the lowly” (Psalms 138:6). Rav Avira interpreted a verse homiletically, and some say that Rabbi Elazar interpreted as follows: Come and see that the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not like the attribute of flesh and blood. The attribute of flesh and blood is that the elevated sees the elevated, but the elevated does not see the lowly. But the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not like that. He is elevated but sees specifically the lowly, as it is stated: “For though the Lord is high, yet regards He the lowly” (Psalms 138:6).” (Sefaria.org translation)

According to Rambam there are only two qualities a person should never have. They are arrogance and anger. Probably Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak is his guidepost because “Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: Even a Torah scholar should not have any arrogance or any part of arrogance, i.e., not even one-eighth of one-eighth. He explains why arrogance should be avoided entirely by asking: Is it a small matter that it is written with regard to arrogance: “Everyone that is proud of heart is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 16:5)?” (Sefaria.org translation)

The Gemara advises us if we want our prayers to be acceptable before the Lord they must be ordered with humility. “Ḥizkiyya says: The prayers of a person are heard only if he casts his heart to be like flesh, by being free of arrogance. As it is stated: “And it shall come to pass, that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, says the Lord” (Isaiah 66:23).

“Rabbi Zeira said: Concerning leprosy of the flesh, it is written in the verse with regard to it: “And when the flesh has in the skin thereof a boil, and it is healed” (Leviticus 13:18), but concerning the leprosy of a person, it is not written in the verse with regard to it: And it is healed. Both verses discussing leprosy of a person make no mention of healing (Leviticus 13:2, 13:9). This indicates that one who sees himself as flesh will be cured, but one who holds himself in high regard will not be cured.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Passover is only a couple days away so I will conclude with a commentary on a verse from Exodus which teaches us about leadership and arrogance.

“And the officers of the children of Israel, whom the taskmasters of Pharaoh had set over them were beaten…” (Exodus 5:14)

“These officers were Israelites. They had pity on their fellow Israelites and did not force them to fill their quotas. When the officers handed over the bricks to the Egyptian taskmasters, the taskmasters beat them for not having pressed the workers to fill their quotas. (Exodus Rabbah 5:20 cited by Rashi)

“The Chafetz Chayim writes that leaders very often take unfair advantage of the people under them. The just mode of behavior, however, is never to act condescendingly to others, even if you are elevated to the rank above them. Arrogance is a trait which is strictly forbidden. According to some authorities (SMAG, prohibition 64, see B’air Mayim Chayim, prohibition 5) the prohibition against arrogance is listed among the 613 commandments of the Torah. We should learn from the officers of the children of Israel who not only did not take unfair advantage of those under them, but who even suffered physical pain to aid them. (Machaneh Yisroel, part 2, chapter 3)” (Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, Love your Neighbor, page 137)