Humility—anavah in Hebrew—is not weakness or passivity, but a powerful and conscious choice to put one’s ego in right relationship with others, with self, and with the Divine. In the Netzarim understanding of Torah, humility is one of the most essential and foundational Jewish virtues, shaping the way we relate to mitzvot, to leadership, and to one another.
Moses, the greatest prophet of Israel, is described in the Torah as “very humble, more than any person on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). This remarkable praise is not in spite of his greatness, but because of it. True humility does not deny our gifts or calling—it allows us to walk in them without self-exaltation. Moses led with strength, but never for personal gain. His authority was born of obedience, not ambition. Such is the example Netzarim Jews strive to follow.
Humility requires that we listen. We listen to Torah. We listen to the voice of God in the quiet moments, in conscience, in the cry of the oppressed. We listen to those we disagree with. A humble heart does not need to win every argument or dominate every space. Rather, it seeks truth—even when truth demands change.
Humility is also about limits. The humble person recognizes they do not know everything. That even the Torah they read is filtered through human language, culture, and history. This is why Netzarim Judaism values the primacy of personal conscience guided by Torah. No one holds the full picture. Even our great teachers can be wrong. Therefore, humility keeps us open: open to learning, to correction, and to new revelation.
This virtue also guards against religious arrogance. We reject the belief that being a chosen people means being superior. To be chosen is to carry responsibility, not privilege. We carry the light of Torah not to boast, but to serve. To serve God. To serve justice. To serve one another.
In daily life, humility shows up in small choices: letting another speak, accepting criticism, treating the stranger with kindness, forgiving without needing to be asked. It shows up in how we study Torah—not as a weapon to prove others wrong, but as a wellspring of wisdom to guide right action.
In the modern world, humility may seem outdated. We are told to brand ourselves, to fight for attention, to dominate. But Torah teaches us the opposite: that the quiet, self-aware soul is more beloved to God than all the noise and bravado in the world.
As Netzarim Jews, we commit to the ancient path of anavah. Not as self-negation, but as the clearest expression of inner strength. The strong do not need to shout. The wise do not need to win. The righteous do not need applause.
They simply do what is right. Quietly. Steadily. With humility.
