Oomis, the problem is, socialism is in the air. Now there’s always been something appealing about socialism to Jews, and it may have come from the better part of those Jews’ weakened-by-golus neshamos. But OTOH, check out Rav Hirsch on Pirkei Avos, the mishnah about the four types of people (what’s mine is mine, etc.). There is a value in individual accomplishment and ownership. One can’t give unless one has his/her own property. We have to respect that people have their property, and what they do with it. Hopefully something will sink in to the people who are living unhealthily, within or beyond their means, from all the efforts of rabbanim, articles, etc. But the fact is, rich people WILL live way beyond my means, even when living modestly for them. We have to uproot these feelings of class envy.
Menu