(Pirkei Kinyan Da’at Ch. 5)
How can it be, when we look at great world leaders, that some are so full of themselves and some (occasionally) have sublime humility?
This question goes back to Biblical times. Moses is referred to as “a very humble man, more so than any other man on earth. (Numbers 12:3)” In contrast, the uncomplimentary qualities of Balaam are “an evil eye, a haughty temperament and an insatiable spirit (Avot 5:19 and in some versions 5:22).”
Both men attained an extremely high level of prophesy. How is it that prophesy can lead to such differences in character?
The answer is: consciousness. Moses had holy consciousness and Balaam had impure consciousness. What is “holy consciousness?” It’s the consciousness that all of his strengths and talents and understandings were a gift from on high. In contrast, Balaam attributed his achievements only to himself.
As a result Moses put himself in a submissive position in relation to God. His spiritual closeness to God engendered in him the desire to emulate God, to take on all of those exemplary qualities that make a person God-like, while Balaam took on his gift with an air of entitlement and expectation of accolades.
Consciousness of greatness can go in two directions: arrogance or humility.
This is always the test we face. Whenever we achieve greatness in any way to whom do we attribute it? Sure, we worked hard and we can feel good about that but where did that potential come from? Is it not a gift? Shall we now be arrogant and seek honors because of it or should it make us more conscious of the awesomeness of our mission and the gifts we’ve been granted in order to accomplish our mission?