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By: Chaya Jungreis-Gertzulin
This week, we read in the fourth chapter of Pirkei Avos an insightful teaching of Rabbi Elazar HaKappar. “Ha’kinah, v’hata’avah v’hakavod motzi’in es ha’adam min haolam, Jealousy, lust and the pursuit of honor remove a person from the world.” (Pirkei Avos 4:28). Strong emotions that can bring a person to his downfall. Feelings that not only preclude a person from enjoying life, but prevent one from interacting normally with others. A destructive appetite that can cause one to think irrationally and make poor, even harmful, self-destructive decisions. An all-encompassing state of mind that can make one physically ill, creating unnecessary stress and anxiety, even bringing on an untimely death, literally being removed from this world. Feelings so powerful, that they can have spiritual, emotional and physical consequences.
The above teaching is intertwined with this week’s parsha, in which we learn of the downfall of Korach due to his insatiable envy and desire for honor. Korach was a first cousin to Moshe and Aaron. He was a prominent figure, a member of the tribe of Levi, and was honored with carrying the Aron, the Holy Ark. He possessed much wealth, which gained him status and prestige. But for Korach, that wasn’t enough. He was totally consumed with a craving for power, and feelings of jealousy towards Moshe and Aaron. He questioned their leadership… why them and not he? Korach’s desire for leadership was wasn’t about his concern for the good of others, but rather he pined for a position of glory.
Jealousy. Envy. Greed. Emotions so detrimental that HaShem included in the Aseres HaDibros, the Ten Commandments, “Do not covet”. Not to be jealous of another’s possessions, wealth, good fortune or power.
I recently attended a school play of my 7-year old granddaughter, Tehilah. Following the children’s performance, I went over to the teacher to thank her, and introduced myself – Tehilah’s bubby.
“I must share a story with you about Tehilah,” the teacher said. “I was teaching the class the Aseres HaDibros. When we got up to the tenth commandment, not to be jealous, Tehilah raised her hand. ‘It’s so, so hard’ she said, ‘what should I do when I go to my friend’s house and she has so many toys and games that I don’t have, and I want them too.’ “
Wow, I thought. Tehilah internalized the lesson. Not only did she connect it to her life, but she shared her inner thoughts and feelings with the teacher and her classmates.
The teacher told me that she threw the question back to Tehilah, asking her to come up with an answer.
After contemplating about her dilemma for a minute or two, Tehilah had her solution. “I would think of something nice about my friend, and give her a compliment. It will help me be happy for her, so I wouldn’t be jealous.”
The teacher told me that Tehilah’s response floored her. Sometimes, we can take a lesson or two from a 7-year old.
Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, in Michtav M’Eliyahu, writes about how one can avoid the pitfall of jealousy. He cites the words of Ibn Ezra on the commandment of not being jealous. Ibn Ezra acknowledges that envy is a human emotion, part of our psyche, that at times takes on a life of its own.
Ibn Ezra explained his thought with a parable. Imagine a peasant who knows that the king is in search of the perfect prince for his daughter. The peasant would never consider himself worthy of being chosen by the king, for he understands that he is part of a different world. So too, says Ibn Ezra, another’s belongings should not even be on our radar. We should view them as part of a different universe. To make a conscious effort to really want what we have.
Korach was a masterful orator and used his power of speech to spread his seditious message amongst a larger group of followers. As he opened his mouth to express his rebellious feelings, HaShem performed a miracle with the earth opening “its mouth” to swallow up Korach and his cohorts. It was a literal pitfall, perhaps the greatest sinkhole of all time. A powerful lesson to absorb. How careful one must be with both actions and words.
HaShem doesn’t task us with the impossible. If there is a commandment not to harbor feelings of jealousy, it’s doable. Not always easy, but attainable. If, instead of looking at what others have, one looks inward, thinking of what he can accomplish with his life, and the good he can do with his G-d-given gifts, he will be a much happier, healthier person.
There is, however, an important exception to the principle of avoiding jealousy. The Talmud teaches, “kinas sofrim tarbeh chochmah, the (proper) envy of scholars, increases knowledge.” (Bava Basra 21a) Our sages explain that there is one kind of jealousy that can have powerful, constructive results, kinas sofrim, to be envious of a scholar, for that will ultimately bring one to gain knowledge. A craving, a desire that can be channeled positively.
We are HaShem’s am kadosh, a holy people, designated to be an ohr lagoyim, a light unto the nations. As we begin the month of Tamuz, a time when so much pain befell our people due to unnecessary machlokes, arguments, divisiveness, jealousy and ill feelings, let us make an effort to bring true shalom, unity and understanding, not only between us and our families, neighbors and friends, but to the entire world. To be a true ohr lagoyim, a light unto the nations.
Shabbat Shalom!
Chaya Sora
Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]
This article was written L’zecher Nishmas / In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt”l
