Moshe's Humility: The Caterer and the Waiter

 I saw a comment by Rashi on this week's parshah that I couldn't help but be astounded by. Yitro had come to the desert, with Moshe's wife and children in tow. Moshe goes out to greet Yitro, inviting him into his tent. He regales him with Hashem's exploits, and the tremendous victory the Jewish people experienced, having vanquished their enemy, eliminating any threat of reprisal. 

Then, Moshe Rabbeinu, the founder of our people, the brother of the priest, Aharon, and the inheritor of his mantle of leadership hosts a festive meal to honor his father-in-law, and his reunion with his wife. 

And against this backdrop, asks Rashi, "Where was Moshe?" "He was the waiter," answers Rashi, "serving Aharon, the elders and Yitro hand and foot." 

If anything, at the present time in Jewish history, more than ever, we need to assimilate the humility of Moshe Rabbeinu, and Avraham Avinu. Seeing ourselves as agents who help others, and not ones who others must serve. 

With Corona ravaging families far and wide, with Israel rife with political discord, and heading to elections yet again, it's more important than ever to see our own lives as ones aimed at serving and aiding others. Imagine Tzipora's reaction when she saw her husband, the leader of the Jewish people, waiting on all of the other elders, undoubtedly not on the level of her very own husband. Moshe didn't see ego as something that even mattered; he was one with the Jewish people, his fate intertwined with its, and because of Moshe's greatness, Hashem himself attests to Moshe's stature being on par, and his loftiness, equal to that of all of our people. 

Shabbat shalom,

Yoav

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