Humbled By Hashem’s Kindness

Yakov Avinu prayed to Hashem for assistance in his encounter with Eisav. He said, קטונתי מכל החסדים, “I have been diminished by all of the kindnesses.”

He was expressing his gratitude for his success until that point. He left his father’s house with nothing, and now he had grown into two camps, with great wealth.

The Sefat Emet commented on this little prayer of Yakov Avinu. Any act of kindness that G-d showers upon us, should lead to greater humility and a surrendering (הכנעה) to Hashem.

For when a person considers and tries to understand, he will realize how unworthy he is to receive such kindness from the Al-mighty. He will recognize that despite this unworthiness, he received abundance from Above.

The correct way to view the situation, is increased humility, and being more in awe of the Creator. He owes us nothing, and if he did bless us, we should be appreciative.

This is not the case with the nations of the world according to the Sefat Emet. I would add that this is not the case for those who live with a feeling of entitlement. Their reaction to acts of kindness, causes them to be more arrogant than before.

They attribute these gifts as something deserved because they are so great or entitled. They will not even recognize that the gifts are from Hashem.

This is the difference between a believing Jew, and one who is not. Yakov Avinu taught us to be humbled by Hashem’s acts of kindness. We must follow his example.