There are eight ways to practice the attribute of humility and each corresponds to a place on the body. (Moshe Cordovoro, Tamar Devorah)
The eighth practice is with one’s mouth, as Cordovoro writes:
“Express good words of Torah. Do not speak ugliness, curses, anger, or frivolous talk. Speak well, expressing benevolence and blessing.”
And so we approach the New Year. Hours from now, the sun will set, and we will stand remembering the miracle and wonder of creation. The eighth practice of humility is with our mouth. God created the world with a word – Let there be light. God gave us the Ten Commandments with ten utterances. What we say creates worlds. What we say can also destroy. We all know that child who is now an adult and grew up with criticism, constant utterances that diminished the light of who he was and still is. And then there is the person who grew up with words of wild unfettered praise—what a gloriously positive and joyful person she is.
It is so powerful to be able to join the millions of people all over the world and say the words and sing the melodies that pull us back to the origin of the world. And as well celebrate creation we resolve to begin again, to create in our lives a life worthy of our dreams, our abilities, the goodness in our hearts. Speak like God and say let there be light; God saw that the light was good. May your New Year be filled with goodness and light. And let us all strengthen one another in the practice of humility.
Below is the complete list from Cordovoro. For the entire month of Elul messages go to karynkedar.com.
Moshe Cordovoro teaches in the second chapter of The Palm Tree of Devorah, (Tamar Devorah) that to be in the image of God means to be humble. Through humility we learn and practice compassion. Here are qualities of humility through eight practices:
- The head: lower your gaze, a person who raises their head upward glorifies himself
- Thoughts: meditate and contemplate on thoughts of goodness, godliness, kindness
- Forehead: a person’s forehead should display no harshness. Your face should reflect willingness, acceptance, and pleasantry.
- Ears: turn your attention to hearing good and positive things. Shut out falseness, evil gossip, judgment.
- Eyes: do not close your eyes to the suffering of the poor. Think as much as possible of their predicament. Look for the good.
- Nose: Nary a breath of anger should ever be found in it. Rather it should contain the breath of life and good will and patience, even to those who are unworthy. Exhale forgiveness and pardon.
- Faces: a person’s face should shine and he should receive all people with a cheerful countenance. All who look at such a face will find joy.
- Mouth: Express good words of Torah. Do not speak ugliness, curses, anger, or frivolous talk. Speak well, expressing benevolence and blessing.