BS’D
Pirkei Avot (5:9) teaches, “Seven traits characterize an uncultivated person…”
Chazal teach that an uncultivated person is called a golem. A golem is the raw material of which an object is made – an incomplete product. In other words, an uncultivated person is an incomplete person who does not recognize her true value. She is not aware of her weaknesses and strengths or how to fulfil her potential. Since we are all Hashem’s creations, then ultimately an uncultivated person represents a waste of His resources.
Every person has a self-image, basing their perspective, their decisions, and channelling their time and energy accordingly. For instance, we set goals that we believe are worthwhile and feasible for us to achieve. Conversely, we reject certain tasks in life when we feel they are inauthentic or we are incapable of achieving them. Unfortunately, a person who is unaware of their true strengths and talents may leave them to deteriorate instead of using them wisely for the benefit of the world.
There is a profound connection between a healthy self-image and our avodat Hashem. The greater our self-awareness and love and appreciation of ourselves, the better we are able to use Hashem’s gifts to serve Him and others. However, this does not in any way mean that such self-awareness and honesty about our strengths equates with geiva, arrogance. As long as we can acknowledge – both outwardly and internally – that both our strengths and weaknesses are all min Hashamayim (from Heaven), then we can use our strengths to their maximum capacity. And thus be a complete person, serving Hashem with all our resources. We can be humble and yet simultaneously be cultivated and thus achieve legendary status.
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated l’iluy nishmat Chaim Yonatan Mordechai ben Pesha Elka z’l, a young three year old who passed away over Shabbat. May this great neshama bask in the Shechinah HaKedosha together with the righteous souls who have departed from this world, Amen.
