C loseness to H ashem
C hapter E ighteen
T he P rohibition of H aughtiness

1. In the Nefesh Hachaim in the additional chapters between
   sha’ar 3 and sha’ar 4, he writes [adapted], “You the reader, here
   is your guidance, with Hashem’s help, in the ways of truth, to
   show you the way that you should safely go. You will then be
   able to slowly rise through the aforementioned levels, according
   to the purity of your soul and according to your aspirations,
   more than what is laid out before you here, and also according
   to one’s habit. You will see with your very own eyes that
   whatever you make a habit of, from all these levels, will add
   purity onto your previous purity, though engaging oneself in
   Torah and performing mitzvot, and in the fear and love of
   Hashem.”
2. We see therefore that one must guard and take great care
   that one’s self-opinion not overtake nor lift him up from serving
   his Creator with purity of thought. A person should not feel
   haughty from this. One must search and investigate this very
   much. It is written clearly, “Any haughtiness of heart is an
   abomination before Hashem” (Mishlei 17). This is even if the
   haughtiness is not apparent to others, only within his own heart,
   it is still a disgrace before Hashem, and as is well-known, is the
   source and the cause for all bad character traits.
3. It is written in the gemarah that one who is proud is as if he
   built a forbidden private alter, and the presence of Hashem wails
   over it. It also says in Pesachim 66b, “Whoever is proud, if he
   was a wise person, his wisdom is removed from him.”
4. Whoever has fear of Hashem within him will tear the hair of
   his head and bring tears to his eyes when he takes to heart from
   who Chazal teach this principle; Hillel the Elder, who is
   described in the words of Chazal for his unbelievable humility.
   Despite this, it occurred once that it seemed he raised himself
   high and was punished for this immediately; the halacha was
   hidden from him [Pesachim 66]. What can we say, and what can
   we speak about. We need to investigate and inspect for this at
   every moment. (End of adapted quote from the Nefesh Hachaim)
5. See at length the great severity of the prohibition of
   haughtiness in the gemarah and in ethical works. Although we
   can not elaborate here, we can only bring a little to awaken
   ourselves that a person, strengthen himself in the service of
   Hashem, and not come to haughtiness.