For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L & Yissachar ben Yona Z’L.
Even in my Consumer Behavior class you learn to push yourself to be more Jewish. How? One of the chapters in our Consumer Behavior class in Marketing speaks about personality styles. In this chapter there is a small section on materialism and what the characteristic traits of a materialistic person entails.
The definition for a Materialistic Consumer is: those who regard possessions as essential to their identities/lives. Wow, not only is it essential for their lives (sad) but it is essential for the identity! That means "What I own makes up WHO I AM." That is pretty sad. You see, a life with Hashem is a world of spirituality, emunah (faith), bitahon (trust in Hashem, Ahava and Torah, filled with smiles and celebrations. Living a life of Torah is difficult but it is the most meaningful life.
The Ramchal says in his famous book, Mesilat Yesharim, that the ikar (basis) behind the reason why man exists is to do Mitzvot and work and stand up against Nisyonot (spiritual challenges). He continues to explain that all the physical desires and benefits in the world are only used in a Jewish life for the work of Hashem. Now you may think: What a fanatic thought! This is crazy, how am I supposed to reach that level, I am not there?! The answer is not to reach the level, but to aspire to reach that level because our biggest problem is we don't believe we can actually change for the better.
We all want the truth in life and to reach a goal of spiritual success but none of us really think we can reach it, because if we did we would already be on that path. The powerpoint continues to list the characteristics of a materialistic individual: self centered and selfish, seek lifestyle full of possessions, do not get greater personal satisfaction from possessions, and acquire and show off belongings. How low do you need to reach to have a life that is filled with showing off and revolving around yourself?
The foundation of the Torah, as Hillel describes, is Ve'ahavta Lera'acha Kamocha, Love your friend as yourself. Our life goal needs to be literally to love every Jew like I love my own flesh and blood. Just like I want to succeed I should want others to succeed. Just like I want to reach a level of spiritual completion so too I should want others to spiritually perfect themselves and on and on.
Shabbat is the ultimate way of saying "I care about others." Why? Because when one keeps Shabbat they trust in Hashem to send the parnasah (finances) and show his family that everything he is doing is for his family and that Hashem got his back. If Shabbat is desecrated, the individual is saying "the extra profit I receive on Shabbat is more worth it than sitting down for Kiddush with my family and spending quality time."
Shabbat Shalom!
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