Reply To: Is authentic Judaism incompatible with being rich and famous?

Apushta: My point is that the environment we live in is much different from other times, especially the time of the gemara. Back then and even a hundred years ago, there were fewer lures and distractions that would have a negative impact on a wealthy person’s yiddishkeit. A famous person today, for example, is often called upon to make speeches and appearances, and that could affect davening with a minyan and learning because of travel. Same for wealthy. Is there evidence that wealthy people back then were faced with similar distractions?