How to Cultivate True Humility: A Jewish Approach to Breaking Arrogance

Many people feel that it’s impossible to break the trait of arrogance that is ingrained within us, and that the path to attain humility is far beyond our reach. As a result of this mindset, they make no effort to work on this trait, and do not strive to uncover the humility that lies within them.

This thought is in fact, a tactic of the evil inclination. G-d would not command us to rid ourselves of arrogance and develop humility, if doing so were truly impossible. The reason it feels out of reach is simply because we haven’t invested enough thought or effort into it.

If we were to study together for two hours each day, focusing on how to cultivate humility, within just a few months, we would begin to notice a significant shift in our thinking and behavior.

When I ask someone, “Why don’t you come to Torah classes?” the typical response is, “I don’t have time. I’m busy with work and family needs.” Does a person diagnosed with a serious illness have time for life-saving treatments? Of course he does. He’ll even arrive early to ensure he receives care, because it’s important to him. If we would understand the vital importance of Torah study, we would make time for it.

The same is true for the trait of humility. If we understood how deeply it would bless our lives with peace in the home, financial well-being, inner calm, and even Divine insight, we would surely put in far more effort to attain such a crucial trait.

The most essential key to developing humility is faith. We must internalize that all our strength, thoughts, and successes come only from the Creator, blessed be He.

Arrogance stems from the illusion that we succeed, or we know best, but this is the very opposite of faith. For the moment a person believes that success comes from his own power, he forgets that it is actually G-d who grants him that success.

If we train ourselves each time we succeed at something, to immediately attribute our success to G-d’s kindness, there is no doubt that the trait of humility will begin to grow within us.