Put Your Ego Aside for the Sake of Peace

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Korach (Numbers 16-18 )

A farmer went to the barn every day to get milk but returned with an empty pail.

“How come you never bring back any milk?” his wife asked.

“Because the only way to get milk is for me to bend down and milk the cow,” explained the farmer. “I don’t want to lose my pride by doing something so lowly!”

In this week's Torah portion we read about a revolt against Moses and Aaron led by Korach, Datan, Aviram and On.

After they commenced their rebellion we learn that "Moses sent to call Datan and Aviram" (Bamidbar 6:12).

Rashi explains that this means that Moses himself went to search for them, and to appease them with words of peace.

Moses, the great leader of the Jewish people, who God Himself had communicated with "face to face", did not consider it beneath his dignity to go and seek out the rebels himself, rather than wait for them to approach him.

He valued peace much more than his own honor.

In the same way, when faced with a dispute we must work on ourselves to be able to put our own egos aside for the sake of peace.

Many times, arguments can be left unresolved because both sides are unwilling to swallow their pride and apologize.

Greatness is apologizing even if one still feels that he is right.

Even though it may be uncomfortable, if you want to benefit from the nutrition of milk, you must bend down in order to milk a cow.

Peace before pride.

(Adapted from Lilmod Ulelamed by Rabbi Mordechai Katz)

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