My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Sh'lah-Lekha

You probably know the old joke in which the rabbi prostrates himself before the Ark on Yom Kippur declaring, “Forgive me, I am nothing.” The cantor joins him, saying, “Forgive me, I too am nothing.” The shamash follows suit: “Forgive me, I am nothing,” leading the cantor to nudge the rabbi, “Look who thinks he’s nothing.” In Parshah Sh’lah-Lekha, before the spies are sent into the land of Canaan “Moses changed the name of Hosea son of Nun to Joshua.” (Num. 13:16). According to Midrash, Moses was moved to do so because of Hosea/Joshua’s modesty, which only he seemed to notice. This raises the interesting question of how one notices modesty. If one brags about it, one might be mocked, “You have a lot to be modest about.” If one remains silent, one might be thought shy or even dull-witted. Perhaps a positive way to establish one’s modesty is to make a point of sincerely praising the attributes and accomplishments of others. It’s a good thing to do for its own sake, and it may lead people to note that you are not bragging about your own.