Hod shebbe yesod: Splendor within Foundation
Otherwise rendered as humility within foundation. Humility facilitates the building of a foundation in life, by keeping our ambition in check; any goal in life needs to be practical, that is within the bounds of our abilities. We are finite beings, only capable of what G-d intends for us, through His bestowal of any natural gifts we may claim as part of our character.
While it is good to reach beyond our level of understanding, as well as our talents, we should be circumspect in order to make a modest estimation of our capabilities. Yet, building a foundation also requires a healthy acknowledgment and appreciation of our talents, so that we may succeed at achieving our realized dreams. Additionally, we need to acknowledge G-d’s role as the Master Architect, whose blueprint for our lives compels us to keep Him in mind at all times.
The Tree of Life 