For
the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L, Yissachar ben Yona ZT’L and Haviva
bat Yocheved Z’L.
Orhot
Tzadikkim is a worldwide famous Mussar book that is probably in every single Yeshiva
and Bet Midrash (Torah Learning Center) around the world. In the sha’ar
of Anava (the chapter on modesty), the author discusses the power of
modesty in this world. Basically, from the following three situations a person
can see if the fortunate (financially) or wise individual is being tested, provided
with a gift or cursed.
These
three different situations all speak about wisdom and wealth. All these cases
show that if one is wise or wealthy (or both), then you can see that they are
really receiving the wisdom/fortune as a gift, as a test or as a curse. Orhot
Tzadikkim says that if the wealthy individual uses their money not to do any
damage in anyway to other people, or if the wise person does not use his/her
wisdom to pride him/herself over other people with it, then using this
fortune/wisdom, these individuals add to their service of Hashem and create a
healthier and happier environment of spiritual success. This shows that the
fortune/wisdom is really for the good, it is really a gift from Shamayim (the Heavens).
The
sign of nisayon, testing is as follows: If the fortunate individual is
always worrying about his/her money and in fear that they will loose it and
avoids enjoying from it, to eat from it and at the same time they do not use
the money for any damage or for any self-pride (showing off). Also if the
individual avoids giving Tzedaka (charity), avoids showing mercy to the poor
and constantly worries about the money’s security, then it is given to the person
as a nisayon (test). Also for the wise person, if they use their wisdom
ONLY for their own needs, meaning they come up with an algorithm just to
finance their expenses and do not use it for good or bad in the world, then it’s
a test.
The
sign of (to explain how it’s a curse, the Orhot Tzadikkim uses the word revenge)
revenge from Hashem: If the wealthy person uses his/her money to bring
evil to the world and damage other peoples’ lives and prides him/herself with
their money, and does not do Tzedaka and just cares about spending the money
for their own benefit and enjoyment, the pasuk from Yeshaya (22:13) says about
this individual that their wealth is for their own wickedness. Sometimes Hashem
gives money to wicked individuals so they can do evil deeds and with those
deeds Hashem punishes them on purpose. The same goes for the wise individual
who uses their wisdom and genius for evil, their wisdom is really their own
obstacle in life.
Therefore,
the person running after wisdom and knowledge should use their wisdom for good
and add to themselves modesty and lower their status of pride to read a level
that they can longer do good with their wisdom. The individual who sees money
is just landing in their pocket with little effort should worry that
this is their reward for all their good deeds in this world and Hashem is
paying him/her NOW and will not receive anything in Olam Haba (the next world),
G-d forbid. Not everyone is like this but this teaches us to always use what
G-d gives us for the good. What’s good? Maybe its time to attend Torah Learning
classes or continue learning Halachot (Jewish Law) the way we learn for our
business and maybe we will begin to learn to live a life with Hashem.
SHAVUA TOV!
Judaism=Think.
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