Nefesh HaChayim, An Introduction by the Author's Son

Annotation: And anyone who knew that because of his humility he still considered himself to be conceited, won’t be surprised that he perceived himself as not understanding fear/awe of God-H’. This is per our sages (OBM) statement (Berakhot 33b): “Is fear/awe65Our editions of Berakhot have “Is fear/awe of heaven an insignificant matter?” an insignificant small matter? … Yes! For Moshe Rabbeinu it was an insignificant matter. This is analogous to the case of someone from whom a large utensil is demanded, and he has it available. For him the large utensil is considered to be just like a small one. But if a small utensil is demanded from someone who doesn’t have one, even that small utensil is considered to be like a large one.” And the situation is that someone who is greatly humble doesn’t perceive his humility. On the contrary, he considers himself conceited, and he considers his peers to be humble. And Moshe Rabbeinu, who was more humble than any other person, it’s certain that he considered himself to be conceited while considering all the rest of Israel, in comparison, to be humble. And this [verse]66The perspective of the cited verse in D’varim 10:12 is in the context of Moshe who was exceedingly humble and considered Israel to be humble. He stated that for them fear/awe was an insignificant matter, for it is the effect of humility, as they (OBM) stated “what wisdom accomplished… humility accomplished; it’s the result of a precursor”. It was only in reference to himself that he perceived fear/awe as a significant matter, because he perceived himself as conceited still. And maybe it’s for that reason that the G’mara brings the second metaphor about one who lacks even a small utensil, so as to expound the word in the text “from you”67Heb.: mei-eemkha.