Like there's a surface narrative, and then... something deeper, waiting to be uncovered?
That's precisely what the ancient sages believed about the Torah. They saw layers upon layers of meaning hidden within the text. And that's where midrash comes in – the art of interpreting and expanding upon the scriptures.
Today, we're diving into a fascinating piece from the Midrash of Philo. Now, this isn't your typical, say, Midrash Rabbah. Philo was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria, Egypt, around the time of Jesus. He sought to harmonize Jewish scripture with Greek philosophy. His writings, though sometimes complex, offer a unique perspective on Jewish thought.
In this particular passage, Philo tackles the idea of being "humbled beneath [virtue's] hands." What does that even mean? He starts by acknowledging that the "letter is plain," meaning the literal interpretation might not be enough. We need to dig deeper, explore the "inner meaning."
Philo suggests that God's word acts as a guide, correcting and instructing the soul, leading it to chochma, wisdom. But it's not just about returning to virtue; it's about embracing humility. And here's where it gets interesting: Philo distinguishes between two kinds of humility.
The first type of humility stems from weakness, from "spiritual infirmity." It’s a defect, something to be overcome. It's the kind of humility that comes from feeling inadequate or defeated. It is easy to "overcome, seize upon, and reprove."
But the second type of humility, the one the word of the Lord enjoins, arises from something entirely different: reverence and modesty. Think of the humility a child shows to their parents, a student to their teacher, or a young person to the elderly. This humility is born of respect and a recognition of wisdom and experience beyond our own.
Why is this second type of humility so important? Because, according to Philo, "it is very advantageous to be obedient, and to be subject to those who are better than one's self." He argues that learning to follow is essential for learning to lead. "For he who has learnt to be under authority is in a moment imbued with a power which he alone may exercise."
It’s a paradox, isn’t it? Surrender empowers. Obedience unlocks authority.
Philo drives the point home: even if someone were to possess all the power of the earth and sea, they wouldn't truly possess the "royal supremacy of virtue" without first learning to obey. True authority, true leadership, comes from a place of humility, from a willingness to learn and to be guided.
So, what does this mean for us today? Are we willing to embrace the kind of humility that comes from reverence and a desire to learn? Can we recognize that true strength often lies in acknowledging our limitations and seeking guidance from those wiser than ourselves? Perhaps the path to true leadership, to true virtue, begins not with asserting ourselves, but with humbling ourselves before something greater.