Become a better version of yourself with just 10 minutes of wisdom from R’ Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Ramchal) and his magnificent work, Mesillas Yesharim.
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We are chapter 22 of Mesillas Yesharim, translation below courtesy of Sefaria. https://www.sefaria.org/Mesilat_Yesharim.22?lang=bi.
וכשנדקדק נמצא שתלויה במחשבה ובמעשה, כי בתחלה צריך שיהיה האדם עניו במחשבתו, ואחר כך יתנהג בדרכי הענוים. When we examine closely, we will find that Humility is dependent both on thought and deed. For at first, a person needs to become humble in his thoughts and only afterwards, can he conduct himself in the ways of the Humble.
כי אם לא יהיה עניו בדעתו וירצה להיות עניו במעשה, לא יהיה אלא מן הענוים המדומים והרעים שזכרנו למעלה, שהם מכלל הצבועים אשר אין בעולם רע מהם. ונבאר עתה החלקים האלה. This is because, if he is not yet humble in his thoughts and he wishes to be humble in his deeds, he will only become as one of the deceitful and evil “humble” men we mentioned earlier (ch.11), who belong to the class of hypocrites, the worst kind of evil men to be found in the world. Let us now explain these divisions.
הענוה במחשבה, הוא שיתבונן האדם ויתאמת אצלו אשר אין התהלה והכבוד ראויים לו, כל שכן ההתנשא על שאר בני מינו, וזה מפני מה שחסר ממנו בהכרח, וגם מפני מה שכבר יש בידו. Humility in thought is for a person to contemplate and come to realize as truth that he is undeserving of praise and honor, and all the more so [unworthy] of being elevated over his fellow men. This is due to what he lacks and also to what [good] he has actually attained.
מפני מה שחסר ממנו: פשוט הוא כי אי אפשר לאדם באיזה מדריגה שיהיה מן השלימות שלא יהיו בו חסרונות רבים, או מצד טבעו או מצד משפחתו וקרוביו או מצד מקרים שקרו לו, או מצד מעשיו שאדם אין צדיק בארץ אשר יעשה טוב ולא יחטא (קהלת ז:כ), הן כל אלה מומים באדם שאין מניחים לו מקום התנשאות כלל, אפילו יהיה בעל מעלות רבות, כי כבר עניני החסרונות האלה יספיקו להחשיכם. Due to what he lacks: this is evident, for it is impossible for a man, whatever level of perfection he may have reached, to not have many deficiencies, whether due to his nature, or due to his family and relatives, due to certain events that happened to him, or due to his own deeds. For “there is no righteous man on earth who does good and sins not” (Kohelet 7:20). All these are blemishes on a person which allow him no room whatsoever to become haughty. Even if he has attained many virtues, nevertheless these deficiencies are enough to obscure them.
הנה החכמה היא המביאה יותר את האדם לידי התנשאות וגאוה, לפי שכבר היא מעלה שבאדם עצמו בחלק הנכבד שלו, דהיינו השכל. That which most brings a person to pride and arrogance is wisdom. For wisdom is a quality in a man himself, in his most noble faculty, namely, his intellect.
והנה אין לך חכם שלא יטעה, ושלא יצטרך ללמוד מדברי חביריו, ופעמים רבות אפילו מדברי תלמידיו, אם כן איפוא איך יתנשא בחכמתו? But, there is no sage that will not make mistakes and that will not need to learn from the words of his peers, and very often, even from his students. How then can he pride himself on his wisdom?
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Rabbi Goldberg’s dynamic charisma, breadth of Torah knowledge, and personal warmth attract hundreds to the shul and his weekly lectures and classes. In addition to his position at BRS, Rabbi Goldberg plays a leadership role in many vital components of the greater South Florida community, and in 2010 he was recognized as one of South Florida’s Most Influential Jewish Leaders. He serves as Co-Chair of the Orthodox Rabbinical Board’s Va’ad Ha’Kashrus, as Director of Conversions for the Beth Din of Florida, and as Posek of the Boca Raton Mikvah. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Katz Hillel Day School, Hadar High School for Girls, and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.
In addition to his local work, Rabbi Goldberg is involved in a number of national organizations and projects. He serves as Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of America, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Beth Din of America, the Editorial Committee of Tradition, and the AIPAC National Council. Rabbi Goldberg has delivered the invocation to the United States House of Representatives and thrown out the first pitch at a Miami Marlins game. In 2011, Rabbi Goldberg was recognized by the National Jewish Outreach Program for BRS’s commitment to outreach.
Rabbi Goldberg is a sought-after Scholar in Residence and has spoken at the AIPAC Policy Conference, the JNF National Conference, and the RCA and OU National Conventions.
Rabbi Goldberg reaches many through his popular blog, along with his frequent contributions to Aish.com and OU.org. His writings have appeared in varied publications including Mishpacha, Klal Perspectives, Mosaic, Jewish Press, Jewish Link, Jewish Life, Jewish Action, Times of Israel, the Florida Sun Sentinel, and the Forward, and he has been quoted by the New York Times and Wall St. Journal.
Rabbi Goldberg is passionate in his support and love of Israel and has been a tireless and forceful advocate for Israel. His advocacy includes several trips to the White House for meetings with the administration, including President Obama, about the U.S.-Israel relationship. In 2011, Rabbi Goldberg received the Star of David Award from Israel Bonds in recognition of his support and, in 2014, he was presented the Pillar of the Community and Israel Award by Friends of the IDF.
Rabbi Goldberg and his wife Yocheved live in Boca Raton with their seven children.
