The Hidden Trap of Hubris: Avoiding Complacency in Avodat Hashem

🖨 Print

Sometimes, after initially engaging in our avodat Hashem with true dedication, we can fall into complacency. This often happens when we reach a certain level of success and mistakenly believe we’ve completed our journey. This form of hubris can trick us into thinking that we have reached the finish line when, in fact, there is a race still to be run. Let’s explore the nature of this problem more, as well as one possible approach to overcoming it.

The Gemara (Sanhedrin 106a) touches on this concept when it explains, “Everywhere [in Tanach], it is stated: “And he sat” [vayeshev], it is nothing other than an expression of distress [of an impending calamity].” The Maharal, in his commentary to Pirkei Avot (Derech Chaim 2:2), explains why sitting is associated with sadness:

The concept of “sitting” causes trouble for a person. This is because a person who is toiling demonstrates that they are not in a state of completeness, for this is precisely what they are striving for [through their toiling]. The person who lacks completeness in action stands towards completeness [i.e., they are moving towards the desired perfection], and no deficiency can be drawn after them [since imperfection cannot be attached to one who is moving on the path to perfection].

But a person who sits and rests [i.e., they are static and aren’t actively moving in a forward direction] behaves as if they have already attained a state of completion. It is precisely this state to which imperfection and lack are attracted, for there is no state of perfection in this (material) world that does not have a deficiency attached to it [i.e., nothing can maintain a state of absolute perfection]. So imperfection immediately attaches itself to anything which is perceived to be in such a state. This is not the case with a person who lacks perfection but is struggling and moving toward it. His movement towards perfection means that no deficiency is attached to him [this is exactly what insulates and protects him from further imperfections.]

The Maharal explains that when we are actively engaged in toiling and striving towards a goal, we inherently acknowledge our own incompleteness and imperfection, which is evident in our continuous effort to improve and progress. This ongoing effort and awareness of the need for personal growth act as a safeguard against the negative influences of the yetzer hara.

When we focus too much on past achievements, we may feel we’ve “made it” and no longer need to strive. However, viewing our mission as “given anew each day” reminds us that growth is continuous. Each day offers a chance to improve, and we should avoid resting on our laurels. This sense of newness humbles us, urging us to keep working toward greater heights and preventing us from stagnating in the illusion of having already reached our ideal state.

On the other hand, when we adopt a state of “sitting and resting,” we mistakenly believe that we have already reached a state of completeness and perfection. This complacency makes us feel that further growth or improvement is unnecessary, causing us to become stagnant. Feeling overly satisfied with our accomplishments, as though we’ve ‘made it’ is dangerous. It opens the door for the yetzer hara to deceive us into thinking we’ve achieved our ideal state and have no need for further growth. Rabbi Steinsaltz explains this as follows¹:

The Jewish approach to life considers the man who has stopped going – he who has a feeling of completion, of peace, of a great light from above that has brought him to rest – to be someone who has lost his way.

The feeling of “behold, I’ve arrived” could well undermine the capacity to continue, suggesting as it does that the Infinite can be reached in a finite number of steps. In fact, the very concept of the Divine as infinite implies an activity that is endless, of which one must never grow weary.

We must view the process of spiritual growth as an ongoing journey throughout life. Unlike reaching a physical destination where the journey ends, spiritual growth doesn’t have a finite endpoint that can be reached. Each milestone that is reached serves not as an end but as a springboard that propels us onwards and upwards to the next area that we need to work on. To be truly transformative, Torah must challenge us with distant targets, goals that surpass anything we’ve achieved before. These goals should be lifelong pursuits, constantly engaging us throughout our lives. Rav Hirsch explains² the mindset that we ought to have:

It is not the Jewish way to look backward and to bask in the glory of past achievements, to rest on our laurels, as popular parlance has it. Whatever a Jew may have accomplished in the past should vanish from his view; the memory of past attainments should serve only to give him confidence and courage so that he may go on to new and, if possible, even greater achievements. The rallying call chazak v’nitchazek is intended to rouse ourselves and our companions to renewed energy for continued action. We should view the mitzvot of our life’s mission as given anew each day. Each new day should find us busy at our life’s work with such fresh vigor and energy as if our calling knew of no yesterdays, as if we had received our charge from the Master’s hand only today.

The antidote to complacency is approaching life with a sense of “newness.” When we focus too much on past achievements, we may feel we’ve “made it” and no longer need to strive. However, viewing our mission as “given anew each day” reminds us that growth is continuous. Each day offers a chance to improve, and we should avoid resting on our laurels. This sense of newness humbles us, urging us to keep working toward greater heights and preventing us from stagnating in the illusion of having already reached our ideal state.

In conclusion, believing we have “arrived” or reached perfection leads to stagnation and opens the door to the influence of the yetzer hara. As Rav Hirsch teaches, past accomplishments should inspire further effort, not serve as a reason to stop. True progress is found in recognizing that the journey is endless, and each new day is an opportunity to strive for greater heights in our avodat Hashem. Let us embrace this mindset and continue pushing forward, never resting on the successes of yesterday.