Rabbi Weill's Blog

Dear Friends:

Humans may be the crown of creation, but time and again we are put in our place. We thought our planet was the center of the universe; it is not. We then assumed the sun revolved around the Earth; it does not. And yes, we are smart, but we're merely the latest pinacle in an ongoing process of evolution.

Debunked!  Our origins are humble; our place in the universe unimpressive.

This week's Torah portion teaches a similar lesson. Even though Bilaam is a famous Moabite prophet -- a seer -- he is unable to see an angel of G-d blocking the path. His donkey, on the other hand, does. The brute swerves to avoid the angel, leading the clueless prophet to beat the poor ass with a stick. And then the donkey speaks, berating his esteemed master: "What have I done to you that you have beaten me?" (Numbers 22:28).

Apparently, even a top-shelf prophet can be dumber than a donkey.

We tend to assume our own superiority and the iron-clad rightness of our convictions. But such an attitude bespeaks arrogance, like Bilaam.

When we are so sure of ourselves, we stop learning from others. The only way to achieve personal growth is through humility. While it is good to know what you know, it is even more important to recognize what we don't know. Regardless of social position, tax bracket, intelligence and age, we all have a lot to learn. So next time your friend, spouse, child, grandchild, great grandchild, dog and cat speak to you, pay attention. They might see something you don't!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill