Day 34: מִתְרַחֵק מִן הַכָּבוֹד / Distancing oneself from honor
We have been cultivating a practice to make us worthy and capable of acquiring Torah, yet the method often preaches restraint and contraction. Why/How do we maintain this balancing act between trending towards leadership and hiding out of the spotlight?
Pirkei Avot builds a case for leadership that effects great change but literally crumbles the moment self-interest surfaces. Of course, our climb towards acquiring Torah is meant for our benefit and betterment, but our orientation must somehow still remain constantly outwards-facing.
Numerous examples build this case, such as Ben Zoma proposing, "Who is honored? The one who honors others" (Pirkei Avot 4:1) or Hillel offering, "Those who makes their name great cause their name to be destroyed" (Pirkei Avot 1:13). Our growth is ultimately in service of God and the people in our life, and today helps us never lose that focus.
Reflection:
How is distancing from honor different from advocating humility?
Honor is often considered a coveted virtue in Western thought. Does Jewish tradition disagree or does it understand honor differently?
Lived practice:
As Ben Zoma says, our practice should focus on honoring others. Call a relative, especially a parent or a grandparent, and show them honor by asking them questions, complimenting them, and thanking them for their impact on you.
