When Moshe was told by G-d that he would be the leader to approach Pharaoh to demand freedom for the Israelites, Moshe replied: “Please my Master send anyone else.”(Shemot 4:13)
Moshe thought that for sure there would be someone better than him to accomplish the mission of bringing the Jews out of Egypt.
Rabbi Chayim of Volozhin explained that even if a person is very intelligent and wise and has accomplished very much, he nevertheless might not be working as hard as he should. With his talents and abilities he might have accomplished even more if he tried more.
On the other hand, a person who seems to not have so many abilities and talents perhaps is putting so much effort that he is fulfilling his potential.
For this reason Moshe felt he was unworthy, he really didn’t believe he had the capacity to achieve what he was being asked off.
This is a lesson for two types of people. Those who feel haughty and conceited because of their great intelligence and accomplishments should be aware that perhaps they are far from reaching their potential and this should give them humility. On the other hand, those who put all they’ve got in their efforts to accomplish should not feel disheartened when they see others apparently accomplish more than them.
The true level of a person is based entirely on effort and this only H”S can measure.
So try always to be the best you can be and do the best you can do.
Excerpts taken from “Growth Through Torah” by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
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