GEN1050 One of the most pronounced characteristics which permeated the entire fabric of the personalities of the האומה אבות – the progenitors of Klall Yisroel – was their great humility.  The Rabbis observe that when Avraham stated, “I am but dust and ashes,” [this verse] in his moving pleas for the deliverance of Sodom, he manifested an exceptional degree of self-effacing humility. So, too, did Moshe and Aharon manifest extraordinary humility and restraint in their almost impossible task of leading the Israelites through the many turbulent and trying episodes which occurred during the forty years in the desert. FENDEL 145