Rashi explains: Moshe said to Aharon – my brother, I have known that the House would be sanctified by those beloved by Hashem and I thought it would either be by myself or you – now I see that they are greater than you or I.
Moshe’s statement regarding Hashem’s choice for sanctifying His Name does not seem consistent with the characterization of Moshe as “and the man Moshe was very meek above all the men that were upon the face of the earth.” (Bamidbar 12:3)
How could one who has mastered his personality to the extent that he serves as the paradigm of humility talk this way? If a king were to announce his intention to bestow great honor and dignity upon the greatest of his nobles, would not the one who pronounces himself deserving of this title be considered haughty and arrogant? How then does Moshe state “I thought it was either me or you”?
The concept of humility must be properly explained. One who feels that the various titles and dignities bestowed upon him are not valid is not to be considered humble, but rather simple.
One who possesses wisdom and intelligence and has developed the various attributes of his personality, and is nonetheless not cognizant of this fact, is not to be thought of as humble but rather naive. True humility exists only when one recognizes and his special qualities, and attributes everything as a special gift bestowed upon him by Hashem. When one understands and believes that all his successful qualities and talents are but a gift from Hashem, then he has truly achieved the ultimate degree of humility.
