A Humbling Experience
I once organized a gathering in Lyon for the sake of transmitting an important message. As the time drew nearer, I was filled with apprehension. I very much wanted to reach as many people as possible. What if only a small audience would attend?
But I was met with a big surprise. As I entered the auditorium, I found it packed, wall-to-wall, above and beyond my wildest imagination. Prideful thoughts flitted through my mind as I observed the masses who attended to hear my words.
In retribution for such thoughts, as I ascended the podium, I forgot every word of my painfully-prepared speech.
I immediately repented and prayed to Hashem for assistance. I recited the pasuk in Tehillim (93:1), “Hashem has reigned, He has donned grandeur.” I asserted that all power and pride are His alone.
Additionally, in order to really feel humbled, I cracked a few jokes, which got the audience laughing. Entertaining such a significant audience with jokes really put me in my place. As feelings of conceit left my mind, it was slowly filled with thoughts of mussar. I merited conveying the message I had prepared. But the story does not end here.
A few days later, I had dinner with a friend. We ate a lot of olives, although it is known that consuming too many olives causes forgetfulness. This man was scheduled to deliver a speech before a large audience after our meal. To his utter chagrin, he became confused while speaking. All of his messages were muddled, and he had difficulty organizing his thoughts. He told me, half in jest, that perhaps it was the overabundance of olives that he had eaten that caused him to forget his speech.
But I did not agree with him. I said that I, too, had eaten olives, and my thoughts were lucid and coherent. But I suggested that he should search himself for any trace of pride, which was liable to make him confused.
I had learned this lesson the hard way, from my experience in Lyon. I remembered my speech only after I had removed all thoughts of conceit, for “pride and greatness belong to the One Who lives forever.”
