(Everyday Holiness, Morinis 53)
His answer, that yes it is true, does come across as arrogant, rather than humble. How does he know if he is the greatest living Jewish legal authority in Europe? To become "a well-known leader of the Jewish community in England," Abramsky studied, taught, and practiced Judaism in many ways and with many people. He survived the Russian Revolution, headed the London Beth Din, and was a rosh yeshiva in Jersualem. His funeral was attended by 40,000. He was an authority. He was aware of his abilities and said as much.
To what extent are we told to be "humble," when the expected humility is one where we hide our abilities?
How much do we hide our abilities from ourselves and/or from others?
How much does this expectation block us from seeing our true selves?
How does the expectation of self-deprecation framed as modesty cause us to become unbalanced?
When we look at others and expect a kind of humility and modesty where we brush off compliments or are forced to return them, we are disingenuous to our selves and to others. We cannot see ourselves the ways that others do, nor can we accept that it is possible that the ways that we see ourselves are not as truthful.
In this same vein, our perspective of others may we warped by our own jealousy, etc. at their abilities or accomplishments, and lead us to to break try those around us down. Rather than cultivating our own self-esteem and reveling in the divinity of others, we try to bring others to our level.
(יד) הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, חָבִיב אָדָם שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְצֶלֶם. חִבָּה יְתֵרָה נוֹדַעַת לוֹ שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְצֶלֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית ט) כִּי בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָדָם. חֲבִיבִין יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ בָנִים לַמָּקוֹם. חִבָּה יְתֵרָה נוֹדַעַת לָהֶם שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ בָנִים לַמָּקוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים יד) בָּנִים אַתֶּם לַה' אֱלֹהֵיכֶם. חֲבִיבִין יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁנִּתַּן לָהֶם כְּלִי חֶמְדָּה. חִבָּה יְתֵרָה נוֹדַעַת לָהֶם שֶׁנִּתַּן לָהֶם כְּלִי חֶמְדָּה שֶׁבּוֹ נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי ד) כִּי לֶקַח טוֹב נָתַתִּי לָכֶם, תּוֹרָתִי אַל תַּעֲזֹבוּ:
(14) He used to say:Beloved is man for he was created in the image [of God]. Especially beloved is he for it was made known to him that he had been created in the image [of God], as it is said: “for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Beloved are Israel in that they were called children to the All-Present. Especially beloved are they for it was made known to them that they are called children of the All-Present, as it is said: “your are children to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 14:1). Beloved are Israel in that a precious vessel was given to them. Especially beloved are they for it was made known to them that the desirable instrument, with which the world had been created, was given to them, as it is said: “for I give you good instruction; forsake not my teaching” (Proverbs 4:2).
By acknowledging your worth, your strengths, and your weaknesses) you practice humility. Learning to accurately understand who you are and where you are at in your journey brings you closer to G-d and to others. Cultivating good self-esteem allows us to see clearly the areas where we excel, as well as those where we require more work. From there, it is our purpose to improve.