The Torah's prohibition against jealousy

Hi,

The Torah's two prohibitions against jealousy, לא תחמוד and לא תתאוה , have two aspects: practical and philosophical.

Practically, one may not desire another person's spouse or property, and plan steps to make the desired entity his own. The prohibition is violated specifically if one plans practical steps, per Rambam (Hilchot Gezeilah 1:9-12) and Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 359:10-12). Some do debate whether desiring and taking violate only one prohibition (Smag Lo Taaseh 158) or two (Rambam, Sefer haMitzvot 265-266).

Philosophically, we are instructed to ban thoughts of jealousy from our minds; if someone else possesses something, I shouldn't say, “I want to take that for myself.” This requires a degree of mental discipline; we are expected to train ourselves to view other people's property as off-limits, so that the thought of stealing it becomes anathema. For more on how we may fulfill this expectation, see Sefer haChinuch 38, 224 and 416; Ibn Ezra to Shemot 20:14; Beit haLevi to Parshat Yitro.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

How to Avoid the Evil Eye

Hi,

"The evil eye cannot rule the eye that doesn't wish to be fed from that which isn't his."

(Talmud, Berachot 20a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shocking others

Hi,

"Street merchants, those who raise weak breeds of animals [which consume more than they produce], those who cut down good trees and those who seek to receive the greater portion will never see a sign of blessing. Why? Because people are shocked [in a negative way] by them."

(Talmud, Pesachim 50b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Jealousy among the tribes

Hi,

[Leah named her son ראובן Reuven, which may be parsed as “ראו בן,” “See, a son.”]

“Leah declared, ‘See the difference between my son and the son of my father-in-law. My father-in-law’s son [Esav] sold his birthright with full knowledge… and regarding him it is written, ‘And Esav hated Yaakov’…

“But my son, even though Yosef took my son’s birthright from him against his will… he was not jealous, as it is written, ‘And Reuven heard, and saved [Yosef] from their hands.’”

(Talmud, Berachot 7b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Daily Torah Thought - 3/7

Hi,

"Rav Natan bar Abba said, citing Rav: One who jealously scouts the table of others, lives in a world of darkness, as it is written (Job 15), 'He wanders for bread - where is it? He knows that the day of darkness is ready at hand.'

"Rav Chisda added: His life is not life."

(Talmud, Beitzah 32b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai