Humble Prophets

At the end of the parsha, the Torah tells us that Moshe was the greatest ענו as an introduction to describing how Moshe was the greatest navi.  It sounds from the juxtaposition that this is why Moshe was the greatest navi.  How is humbleness connected to nevuah?  In Mishlai (31:26) it says תורת חסד על לשונה.  What is תורת חסד?  The Gemorah Sukkah 47b (according to one interpretation) says it means who learns תורה לשמה.  Why is learning Torah leshmah considered doing a chesed? 

Accepting prophesy is to leave one one’s state of being and tap into a higher realm of existence.  This ability to be able to lift one’s self out of the physical boundaries of the body to be able to connect with God requires one to be able to be completely given over to the will of God. It is impossible to receive nevuah in a state of self-concern.  It is only through complete humbleness, where there is no feeling of self that there is a possibility of accepting nevuah.  Therefore, since Moshe was completely nullified before Hashem without any feelings of self, he was able to accept nevuah at all times. 

Learning Torah leshmah is a means of connecting to the Wisdom of God.  One surrenders their own mind, their own human logic, and attempts to tap into His Infinite Wisdom.  This is akin to an act of chesed where one gives over themselves to help out someone else.  That is why learning Torah leshmah is considered a kindness for one gives himself over to Hashem (Mictav M’Eliyahu volume 4.)

The Magan Avrohom siman 60 says that during certain words in ahavah rabba/ahavas olam one should remember the six remembrances.  The words to remember the story of Miriam are the words להודות לך to remember that the mouth is created to praise Hashem and not to speak evil of others.  How are the words להודות לך supposed to remind someone of the episode of Miriam, how does a lack of praise equal lashon harah?  The explanation is that if one doesn’t feel that he is deserving of the that s/he has, then s/he won’t speak loshon harah.  Loshon Harah comes from a lack of thanking, a feeling of self-entitlement, and therefore there is an ability to judge others.  If one feels content with themselves then there is no need to complain about others.  With the feeling of hodayah then one feels a sense of humility and will not fall into the trap of loshan harah.