This week the podcast is dedicated as refuah shelama for Meir Chaim ben Esther.
In the Parsha we have the interesting scene when Avraham argues with Hashem regarding the fate of Sedom. Avraham (18:27) says the following:
> Avraham replied and said, "Behold, please, I have resolved to speak to my Master, though I am but dust and ashes.
Rashi points out that the use of the words "dust and ashes" refers to two situations that Avraham found himself in; first with rescuing Lot (dust because if not for Hashem he would have been turned into dust by the 4 kings) and the other (ashes) was when Avraham was thrown into the furnace by Nimrod.
Why did Rashi have to explain this passuk with a drasha? Why couldn't he explain it by saying Avraham was insignificant like dust and ashes? Rav Wolbe Z'L explains that when you disregard your good qualities it is not humility, it is foolishness. True humility is when a person recognizes their positive qualities and realizes they are not a result of their deeds, but are something Hashem has given them. Therefore, there is no reason to be arrogant.
People must be aware of their strengths to utilize them to their maximum potential. Rav Wolbe comments that his rebbe, Rav Yeruchum Levovitz, would say, "Woe to a person who is not aware of their spiritual deficiencies since they don't know what they need to work on. Double woe to a person who is not aware of their positive qualities since they don't know what tools they were given to achieve their potential."
Despite Avraham's statement he was "dust and ashes" he spoke with persistence to Hashem hoping to save all of the cities and their inhabitants. Interestingly, Avraham wasn't punished or reprimanded for speaking like this. Moshe Rabbeinu was called the most humble man on earth (Bamidbar 12:3) but there were many occasions where Moshe "demanded" Hashem have compassion and forgive Beni Yisroel. Their humility did not cause either of them to disregard their positive qualities. Rather they used them for the sake of others.
As I have heard from Rabbi Efram Goldberg or the Boca Raton Synagogue; being humble doesn't mean thinking less of yourself. It means thinking of yourself less.
Let us take a moment to reflect on our positive qualities. With this knowledge, we may be able to make a difference in someone else's life. At the very least we will become cognizant of the tools we possess which is the first step toward reaching our potential.
Have a good Shabbos.
